A Guide to Food Safety Certification in South Africa

In the vibrant landscape of South Africa’s food industry, ensuring the safety of the products you produce is not just a responsibility, it is a necessity. Integrated ISO is your dedicated partner in the realm of food safety implementation, ultimately leading to successful food safety certification. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the world of food safety implementation and certification, exploring its significance, the various certifications available, and how you can make the best choices for your business.

Understanding Food Safety Certification

Food safety certification is the process by which businesses in the food industry demonstrate their adherence to mandated international food safety standards designed to ensure the safety of food products. It’s a validation that your business is committed to providing safe and wholesome food to consumers.

What Makes a Food Safety Certificate Valid?

An valid food safety certificate is one that has been awarded by an accredited certification body after a thorough assessment of your processes, facilities, and adherence to relevant standards. This certificate signifies that your business meets the necessary criteria for safe food handling, preparation, and distribution.

Exploring Different Food Safety Certifications

• Certificate of Acceptability (COA) R638

A certificate of acceptability is a fundamental requirement for individuals directly involved in food handling and preparation. It is a statutory requirement under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act and entails an inspection by the City Health Department Inspectorate which then issues the certificate accordingly. Prior to this inspection, the food business concerned must ensure that staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to maintain hygiene, prevent contamination, and ensure the safety of consumers.

• HACCP Implementation

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification is a systematic approach to identifying, assessing, and controlling hazards in food production processes. It’s a proactive strategy which takes cognizance of food safety risks and ensures that food safety is at the forefront of your operations.

• GFSI Global Markets Program

The GFSI Intermediate FSMS is intended as an introduction to the food safety arena and represents approximately 66% of the full FSSC22000 audit. It serves as an ideal medium to satisfy the demand by retailers for manufacturers to comply with mandated food safety standards.

• FSSC22000

FSSC22000 certification is an Internationally recognized standard which elevates your business to a global level of food safety excellence. The FSSC22000 standard is fundamentally based on ISO22000 and has been benchmarked by the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative).

Choosing the Right Certification

Selecting the most suitable food safety certification depends on various factors, including the nature of your business, your target market, and your growth aspirations. Consider the specific requirements of each certification and how they align with your business goals.

Maintaining and Renewing Certifications

Food safety is an ongoing commitment. Certifications, including FSSC22000 and GFSI have one-year inspection cycles, either by virtue of annual surveillance audits or in the case of the GFSI Intermediate audit, a one-year validity period. The R638 COA remains valid subject to the business remaining under the same ownership and address.

Conclusion

In the world of food, safety is non-negotiable. Achieving and maintaining food safety certification not only ensures compliance with regulations and retail / export imperatives, but also boosts consumer confidence, enhances your reputation, and sets you apart in a competitive industry. At Integrated ISO we are your trusted partner with more than 30 years’ combined experience and a 100% audit success rate. Contact us today to embark on a path of food safety excellence that leads to guaranteed final certification.