WORLD FIRST FOR SOUTH AFRICAN HYGIENE COMPANY

WORLD FIRST FOR SOUTH AFRICAN HYGIENE COMPANY

Ecowize, a South African company that provides hygiene and sanitation services to the food production industry, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first cleaning company in the world to be audited against the food safety system standard of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO22000) and receiving the certification. The award was given at a ceremony where the company was recognised by the National Sanitation Foundation – CMI (NSF-CMI), which provides independent certification and assurance services throughout the international fresh produce supply chain. The audit was conducted over four days by experienced auditors who examined various Ecowize plants at random and conducted a detailed systems analysis.

Gareth Lloyd-Jones, MD of Ecowize, said that achieving the ISO22000 certification required having an exceptional food safety management system in place. The company had to make sure all interactive communication systems, systems management, prerequisite programs, and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) were in place. He added that the company’s achievement proves that South African businesses can be global industry leaders through innovation and hard work.

Lloyd-Jones said that the company had to implement various systems at multiple decentralised sites for several months to prepare for the audit. He added that the company must consistently apply these systems to maintain its reputable world-class status. According to Lloyd-Jones, there is a growing need for international harmonisation of food safety standards, and ISO22000 aims to meet this need. He concluded that with the increase in consumer demand for safe food, organisations within the South African food chain must strive to meet these food safety requirements.