03 Nov 2011 Cape Town’s PenBev first to FSSC 22000 certification in SA

PenBev, the Coca-Cola bottler for the Western Cape, has become the first South African company to secure FSSC 22000:2010 (Food Safety System Certification 22000) certification, the newest international food safety and quality standard. SGS was the certifying body.

Handing over its certificate to PenBev’s quality team, SGS’s Steve Lashmar, business manager of safety system certification, congratulated them not only on a “massive achievement” but also in being the first in South Africa to secure a highly-regarded ticket that should be of immense strategic and competitive value to the company.

FSSC 22000 encompasses ISO22000:2005 (Food Safety Management System requirements) and PAS 220:2008 standards (Prerequisite Programs on Food Safety for Food Manufacturing) and integrates additional auditing protocol. It is the most complete safety certification scheme for food manufacturers and is widely-considered to become the preeminent food standard in the next decade.

FSSC 22000 is designed to deliver greater confidence in food, fewer health risks, improved protection for brands, lower auditing costs, and improved supply chain management.

FSSC 22000 is recognised by the nonprofit GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) to ensure continuous improvement in food safety management systems, cost efficiency in the supply chain, and safe food for consumers worldwide.

PenBev’s group SHEQ manager, Johan Breytenbach, said that attaining FSSC 22000, the highest level of global food safety standards, means the company can assure customers and consumers that it is fully dedicated to delivering a safe product.

About PenBev

PenBev is an independent bottling company that holds the rights to manufacture and distribute the products of The Coca-Cola Company within the Western and Northern Cape. Based in Parow Industria, PenBev employs over 1 300 people.

PenBev officially opened for business in 1940 with the first plant in Marine Drive, Paarden Eiland and eight years later, a new plant in Mowbray was opened, which remained there until 1966 when it moved to its current headquarters in Parow Industria. The rapid expansion of PenBev led to the construction of a factory in Athlone Industria and since then depots have been established in Paarl, Vredenburg, Blackheath and Worcester.

Subsequently, the Athlone Plant, Worcester Minerals and Koelbly were converted to distribution depots and manufacturing now takes place in the state-of-the-art facility at the Parow Industria Plant only.

What is FSSC 22000?

ISO 22000 and PAS 220 are combined to form the new FSSC 22000.

Food Safety System Certification (FSSC ) 22000 standard, is the latest certification scheme for food manufacturers based on the integration of ISO 22000:2005 Food Safety Management Systems standard and Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 220.

Supported by the Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the European Union (CIAA), FSSC 22000 has been approved by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) with the encouragement to move it to full implementation.

ISO 22000 is your business management tool to control and reduce food safety hazards and ensure compliance, while PAS 220 was developed to specify requirements for prerequisite programs (PRP) to assist in controlling food safety risks within the manufacturing process and to support management systems designed to meet the ISO 22000 standard.

This program is designed for food manufacturers who supply or plan to supply their products to major food retailers or major branded food companies. Those manufacturers certified against ISO 22000 will only need an additional review against the PAS 220 in order to meet the FSSC 22000 certification scheme.

Any organisation with an existing food safety program such as PRP, GMP or HACCP, can use such program as a platform and incorporate the elements of the combined ISO 22000 and PAS 220 into their existing system.

Many food manufacturers are under pressure to satisfy various customer requirements. This can lead to multiple audits and systems so the cost can become onerous. FSSC 22000 has been approved by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), thus allowing companies that achieve FSSC 22000 certification to meet the requirements of several global retailers or major branded food companies under a single, internationally-recognised food safety management system.

FSSC 22000 eliminates fragmentation of food standards across the industry. Food producers and manufacturers now are on the same page with what is required and necessary to keep foods safe.