Produce Market Code of Practice
Introduction
This Code of Practice forms an integral part of Produce Market Ltd’s commercial framework and should be read in conjunction with the Grower Terms of Trade and Buyer Terms of Sale.
It sets out the minimum technical, quality and operational standards expected of all growers, suppliers and partners supplying fresh produce into the United Kingdom through Produce Market.
The purpose of this Code is to ensure that all product supplied meets the expectations of the UK wholesale, foodservice and retail markets, while maintaining consistency, compliance and transparency across the supply chain.
1. Product Quality Standards
All produce supplied must meet agreed commercial specifications and be of sound merchantable quality at the point of delivery.
Product must be:
- Fresh and fit for human consumption
- Free from contamination, decay, pests or disease
- Consistent in size, grade and presentation
- Harvested at the appropriate stage of maturity
Natural variation is expected within fresh produce; however, this must remain within acceptable commercial tolerances.

Product must be capable of withstanding normal commercial handling, transport and storage conditions without excessive deterioration.
2. Food Safety and Compliance
All product supplied must comply fully with UK food safety regulations and applicable international standards.
This includes compliance with:
- Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs)
- Pesticide regulations
- Contaminant limits
- Hygiene and food safety legislation
Growers must ensure that only approved substances are used and that all applications are carried out in accordance with legal requirements and best practice.
Produce Market operates a zero-tolerance approach to non-compliance with food safety regulations. Any breach may result in immediate suspension of supply.
Suppliers must operate a documented food safety management system based on HACCP principles, covering the full process from production through to packing and dispatch.
Where applicable, water used in production or processing must meet appropriate microbiological standards and be regularly tested to ensure suitability for food handling.
3. Certifications and Assurance
All growers are expected to hold recognised industry certifications appropriate to their product and market.
These may include:
- GlobalG.A.P.
- GRASP
- BRC (where applicable)
- Other retailer or market-specific standards
Certification must be valid, up to date and available for review upon request.

Any lapse, suspension or withdrawal of certification must be communicated immediately.
4. Traceability and Record Keeping
Full traceability must be maintained for all product supplied.
Growers must retain accurate records including:
- Field and batch identification
- Harvest dates
- Chemical and treatment records
- Packing and dispatch details
All product must be traceable from origin through to delivery.
Produce Market may request documentation at any time to support compliance, audits or customer requirements.
Suppliers must also maintain operational records including temperature logs, quality control checks, cleaning schedules and any other documentation necessary to support compliance with food safety and quality standards.
5. Packaging and Labelling Standards
Packaging must be:
- Fit for purpose
- Structurally sound
- Suitable for transport and handling
Labelling must be:
- Accurate and clearly legible
- Compliant with UK requirements
- Consistent with agreed specifications
This includes:
- Product name
- Country of origin
- Batch or lot identification
- Supplier identification
Incorrect or non-compliant packaging may result in rejection or repacking costs.
6. Temperature Control and Cold Chain
Where applicable, product must be handled within appropriate temperature ranges from harvest through to delivery.
The Grower must ensure:
- Correct pre-cooling where required
- Temperature-controlled storage and transport
- Maintenance of the cold chain throughout
Failure to maintain correct temperature conditions may result in quality deterioration and claims.

Temperature monitoring is strongly recommended, particularly for longer transit routes.
7. Harvesting and Handling Practices
Product must be harvested, handled and prepared in a manner that preserves quality and shelf life.
This includes:
- Careful handling to avoid damage
- Clean harvesting conditions
- Appropriate sorting and grading
- Proper post-harvest treatment
Product must not be packed or shipped where quality is known to be below acceptable standards.
Packing facilities must be maintained in a clean, hygienic and well-organised condition, suitable for handling food products. All surfaces must be easy to clean and maintained to prevent contamination.

All staff involved in harvesting, packing or handling produce must follow appropriate hygiene practices, including the use of clean clothing, regular hand washing and the reporting of illness where relevant.
8. Communication and Transparency
Clear and proactive communication is essential.
Growers must:
- Provide accurate availability and volume forecasts
- Notify Produce Market of any issues affecting supply
- Communicate delays, quality concerns or changes immediately

Failure to communicate issues at an early stage is considered a breach of expected operating standards.
9. Ethical and Responsible Supply
Growers are expected to operate in a responsible and ethical manner, including:
- Compliance with labour laws
- Safe working conditions
- Environmental responsibility
- Sustainable farming practices

Produce Market reserves the right to review supplier practices where concerns arise.
10. Continuous Improvement
Produce Market works with growers on a long-term basis and expects ongoing commitment to improvement.

This includes:
- Responding to quality feedback
- Addressing recurring issues
- Improving consistency and reliability
- Suppliers who consistently fail to meet required standards may be removed from the supply network.
11. Residue Testing and Monitoring
Produce Market reserves the right to carry out independent pesticide residue testing on any consignment supplied.
Where testing identifies non-compliance with applicable maximum residue levels or regulatory standards, the supplier shall be fully responsible for all associated costs, including testing, product rejection, disposal, and any resulting commercial losses.
Suppliers must maintain full spray records and provide these upon request.
Suppliers must provide full disclosure of all pre-harvest and post-harvest treatments upon request, including chemicals used, application dates and confirmation of compliance with applicable regulatory standards.
12. Shelf Life and Product Performance
Suppliers must ensure that product is supplied with sufficient remaining shelf life appropriate to the agreed supply chain and end use.
Product must be capable of maintaining acceptable quality under normal commercial storage and distribution conditions within the UK.
Failure of product to perform within reasonable commercial expectations may be treated as a quality issue.
13. Product Integrity and Contamination
All product must be free from foreign bodies, contamination, or any condition that may present a risk to food safety or consumer health.
Suppliers must implement appropriate controls to prevent contamination during growing, harvesting, packing and transport.
Any food safety risk must be reported to Produce Market immediately.

Suppliers must implement appropriate controls to prevent foreign body contamination, including plastic, metal, glass or other materials.
14. Ethical Trading and Modern Slavery
Suppliers shall comply with all applicable labour laws and regulations and must not engage in any form of forced labour, child labour or unethical employment practices.
Produce Market reserves the right to request information relating to labour standards and working conditions and may terminate relationships where standards are not met.
15. Audit and Right of Review
Produce Market reserves the right to request audits, documentation, or site information where required to verify compliance with this Code of Practice.

Suppliers agree to cooperate with reasonable requests for information relating to quality, compliance, and operational standards.
16. Non-Conformance and Corrective Action
Where a supplier fails to meet the standards set out in this Code of Practice, Produce Market may require corrective action to be implemented.

Repeated or serious non-conformance may result in suspension or removal from the approved supplier network.
17. Pest Control
Suppliers must operate a documented pest control programme to prevent contamination and protect product integrity.

Appropriate monitoring and control measures must be in place across growing, packing and storage environments.
18. Equipment and Calibration
All equipment used in grading, weighing and quality assessment must be regularly checked and calibrated to ensure accuracy.

Records of calibration and maintenance must be retained and made available upon request.
19. Supplier Declaration
By supplying product to Produce Market Ltd, the supplier confirms that:
- All information provided is accurate and complete
- All goods supplied comply with this Code of Practice
- Any material changes affecting compliance will be communicated immediately
Failure to meet these requirements may result in suspension or termination of the supplier relationship.
Contact and Compliance Enquiries
For any questions relating to this Code of Practice, technical requirements, compliance standards or supplier obligations, please contact Produce Market Ltd using the details below:
Produce Market Ltd
167–169 Great Portland Street
5th Floor
London
W1W 5PF
United Kingdom
Email: quality@produce-market.co.uk
Suppliers are expected to raise any compliance-related queries or issues promptly to ensure standards are maintained across the supply chain.