Barry Callebaut Beverages UK has been awarded FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification 22000).
One of the first companies in the UK, supplying the UK beverage market, to achieve this European standard, the certification recognises the beverage manufacturer’s best practice for food safety.
Supported by the European Food and Drink Association and the American Groceries Manufacturing Association (GMA), the FSSC 22000 is recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) for its use of international, independent ISO standards. The scheme, which was launched for the purpose of auditing and certifying food safety across the whole supply chain, has been developed, and is maintained and managed, by ISO nominated manufacturers, retailers and established food authorities, who are food safety experts from around the world.
Head of sales for Barry Callebaut Beverages in the UK, Paula Bentley explains: “The accreditation carries particular weight because it isn’t driven by a single stakeholder organisation, unlike other GFSI recognised schemes. It is also international, rather than limited to a UK only standard, and so we are being measured and recognised on a global platform.
“It’s incredibly thorough overall, covering the implementation and effectiveness of our systems, while making sure that all requirements are covered. As it’s a management system certification scheme, rather than one that focuses on processes or products, it takes significantly longer as it also looks at management commitment, effectiveness and continuous improvement.”
The certification reflects Barry Callebaut Beverages’ desire to improve its standard of food safety management and its manufacturing practices, which ultimately ensures premium quality across all products in the company’s wide range. It follows on from the company’s Grade ‘A’ BRC Global Standards accreditation, which was awarded to the manufacturer two years ago.
Barry Callebaut is an established advocate of sustainability, working with smallholder farms in West and Central Africa, supporting farmer training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). Last year, the Group launched its campaign, ‘Forever Chocolate’ and is now on target to reach its objectives which include achieving the eradication of child labour from the supply chain; lifting more than 500,000 cocoa farmers out of poverty; being carbon and forest positive and using 100 per cent sustainable products in all of the company’s ingredients.
