Synercore’s Midrand Production Facility acquires FSSC 22000 certification
The demand for high-quality, affordable and safe food is continually increasing along with the growth in the world’s population. There are high expectations for companies to not only produce food in a safe way, but to produce it with as little social and environmental impact as possible. The FSSC 22000 certification of Synercore’s Midrand Production facility aims to contribute to such demand, in-line with the core values of Synercore, namely quality and reliability through a robust Food Safety Management System that provides a framework for effectively managing an organisation’s Food Safety and quality responsibilities.
Synercore offers a unique service to the food industry of South Africa and Africa, by investing in a sustainable and dynamic group of food research, application and ingredient companies. In pursuit of Synercore’s ultimate goal to become the preferred research partner, innovator and solutions provider within the food industry, this FSSC 22000 certification will enable them to meet growing global customer requirements.
FSSC 22000 is a comprehensive Food Safety Management System that is fully recognized by GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative and consists of the following elements: ISO 22000:2005, ISO/TS 22002-1:2009, and additional FSSC 22000 requirements version 5.
The FSSC 22000 scheme uses international and independent standards that were developed through a wide and open consultation with a large number of international stakeholders. In addition to governance by and independent Board of Stakeholders, an Advisory Committee ensures transparency by reporting to and making recommendations to the Board of Stakeholders, regarding topics like unannounced audits, food fraud, guidance documents and scheme revisions.
There are many benefits to this certification. By incorporating various of the principles of other GFSI-approved food safety standards and consolidating it into one, FSSC 22000 offers a simplified, single food audit solution. Furthermore, since FSSC 22000 is globally recognised, it makes use of standardised language, which makes communication across the organisation and food supply chain more efficient.
Synercore’s General Manager – Quality, Mariesa Vrey, mentions that Synercore’s management is committed to the continual improvement of the food safety and quality culture, and the implementation of the new version 5 will ensure more focus on the importance and involvement of leadership in ensuring a safe product throughout the food chain, and will reassure customers, consumers and stakeholders of our robust and effective Food Safety Management System .