Is your business looking to obtain the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety or SALSA accreditation?

read time: 3 mins
10.05.17

If you are a food manufacturer wishing to supply businesses you will need to specify your safety, quality and operational criteria to fulfil their obligations with regard to legal compliance and protection of the consumer. 

There will need to be an assessment of your company’s premises, operational systems and procedures by a competent third party.

You will need to determine whether SALSA or BRC is most suitable to your business and operations.

SALSA

SALSA is more relevant to buyers and smaller food producers who need to demonstrate that they operate to standards that are recognised and accepted across the industry and exceed the minimum standards expected by enforcement authorities.

SALSA is a food-safety standard written by experienced food safety experts to reflect both the legal requirements of producers and the enhanced expectations of 'best practice' of professional food buyers. 

SALSA certification is only granted to suppliers who are able to demonstrate to an auditor that they are able to produce safe and legal food and are committed to continually meeting the requirements of the SALSA standard. SALSA is a successful food safety certification scheme for small and micro suppliers who are:

  • Looking to supply national buyers on a local or regional level
  • Looking for a recognised food certification that demonstrates they are producing products in safe and legal manner
  • Looking for guidance and support to develop a food safety management system specific to their business
  • Looking to gain confidence to approach national and regional buyers

The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety

The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety has been developed to specify the safety, quality and operational criteria required to be in place within a food manufacturing organisation to fulfil obligations with regard to legal compliance and protection of the consumer. The format and content of the Standard is designed to allow an assessment of a company’s premises, operational systems and procedures by a competent third party – the certification body – against the requirements of the Standard.

The objective has been to direct the focus of the audit towards the implementation of good manufacturing practices within the production areas with increased emphasis on areas which have traditionally resulted in recalls and withdrawals (e.g. label and packing management).

The  BRC Global Markets programme has been introduced to encourage the development of best food safety practices at sites at the early stages of their food safety development and for very small sites where the full requirements of the Standard may add less value.

The programme will enable audits and recognition against a set of requirements of the Standard identified as basic level, and a further set of requirements at intermediate level. It is designed to help factories progress towards full certification, but the programme also provides recognition of attainment at basic and intermediate levels, which are increasingly recognised by customers as providing assurance about the food safety systems operated at their supply sites.

How can Ashfords support you?

At Ashfords we have a dedicated team on hand to support clients through every step of the accreditation process, including:

  • Identifying which accreditation route is best for your business
  • An initial gap analysis to audit and feedback on your current compliance status
  • Supporting you with getting everything in place for accreditation
  • On-site observations to ensure it is embedded in your culture
  • Being there to support the audits

For further information please contact a member of the team.

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