Power Packaging has obtained a grant of inspection for the U.S. Department of Agriculture at its production facility in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The division of Exel is a North American contract manufacturer and packaging provider for major food and beverage brands. The certification allows the company to produce goods that carry USDA food-safety labeling on various products, including meat and poultry. Power Packaging invested more than $1m in a new production area to meet specifications for obtaining the right to use the USDA legend. In operation since 1977, the 250,000-square-foot facility produces a number of food and beverage products, including rice and pasta meals, soups, dry drink mixes and seasonings, in a variety of flexible form-fill-seal and rigid packaging formats. The company said it chose the Texas facility because of "its ideal location and opportunity for growth to serve customer needs." Power Packaging's food-safety program covers four main areas: good manufacturing practices, hazard analysis and critical control points, environmental monitoring, and cleaning and sanitation. All ingredients are fully traceable, the company said.
