Our Commitments
BLUE WHALE “ZERO PESTICIDE RESIDUE” APPLES
For several years now, Blue Whale has been investing heavily in Research and Development in order to develop new apple varieties that are naturally resistant to apple scab, and to make these fruits part of a production process without any quantifiable pesticide residue. Zero pesticide residue is a global production approach that is closely monitored by our team of Blue Whale quality technicians and controlled by an approved laboratory. In 2018, we produced 1500 tons of apples and 400 tons of kiwi fruit using this production approach. This programme reflects Blue Whale’s environmental and social commitments.
The primary goal is to always improve the quality of our production and our cultivation methods, but this approach also takes into account the expectations of our customers and the consumer.
Blue Whale is a founding member of the “Collectif Nouveaux Champs”, which carries the Zero Pesticide Residue label.
1. PRECISE REQUIREMENTS
The Zero Pesticide Residue initiative must be rigorously followed from the tree to the finished product, which is why our team of quality technicians supervise this new environmentally friendly farming practice according to strict and precise rules.
The Zero Pesticide Residue specification imposes :
- a selection of cultivated plots,
- a specific technical itinerary in the orchard,
- a selection of varieties put into production: choice of varieties naturally resistant to scab,
- a selection of references
2. A MONITORING PROGRAMME AT EACH STAGE OF PRODUCTION CARRIED OUT BY AN APPROVED LABORATORY
This monitoring plan includes strict controls:
- in orchards on the trees 15 days before harvest,
- in a packing station on receipt of the harvest batches,
- on fruit after grading,
- on packed product before shipment.
In order to guarantee a product with no quantifiable pesticide residues, very strict controls are carried out. These controls are carried out on crushed fruit including skin and flesh and are approved by an external COFRAC (Phyto Control) accredited laboratory. More than 500 active substances are searched for in our fruit, and the batches of the zero residue programme are guaranteed without any quantifiable trace.
3. TOTAL TRACEABILITY
All the fruits involved in this approach are monitored and clearly identified at each stage of production. Their handling is highly regulated and follows very particular demands which imply that they are packaged separately. We are therefore able to follow the fruit batches at each stage, right up to the sale.
In store, the “Zero Pesticide Residue” label allows consumers to identify apples that comply with this program.
4. BLUE WHALE’S COMMITMENT
Blue Whale supports this approach by producing apples and kiwis that meet the rigorous criteria of this approach.
In 2018, Blue Whale produced 1500 tonnes of apples and 400 tonnes of kiwi fruit with zero pesticide residue.
