Why Westbury Dairies Went For ISO 22000?

ABOUT WESTBURY DAIRIES

Westbury Dairies is a joint venture between the dairy co-operatives Dairy Farmers of Britain, First Milk and Milk Link. Its Westbury factory is the UK’s largest single-site dairy and Europe’s most advanced skimmed milk powder and butter plant. Sold in the UK and internationally, its milk powder, cream and butter are used to produce confectionery, ready meals, cakes, ice cream, custard, yoghurt and other foods. Milk powder is also reconstituted into drinking milk, particularly in developing countries.

ISO 22000 EXPLAINED

ISO 22000 is the new international standard for food safety management systems. Recognised worldwide, this universal standard harmonises key requirements and overcomes the difficulties of differing food safety standards by region, country, activity, organisation and food-type. ISO 22000 can be used by any organisation in the food supply chain – including farmers, animal feed producers, processors, packers, logistics companies, restaurants and retailers – to demonstrate good practice and compliance in food safety, and therefore boost customer confidence.

AMONG ITS OTHER BENEFITS, ISO 22000:

• is easy to understand, apply and recognise;
• speeds and simplifies processes, increases efficiency and reduces costs without compromising existing or other quality or management systems;
• gives organisations greater flexibility by allowing them to tailor their food safety management systems to particular suppliers, customers and relevant parties;
• incorporates the widely adopted and accepted food safety principles of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point).

Based on identifying, monitoring and continual improvement at key points in food production and preparation, HACCP aims to ensure that food is safe to eat;

• facilitates traceability and clear communication across the supply chain;
• is closely aligned and fully compatible with the cross-industry ISO 9001:2000 quality management system.

WHY WESTBURY DAIRIES WANTED ISO 22000

“We wanted to attain ISO 22000 certification for a number of external and internal reasons,” says Westbury Dairies’ Technical Manager, Martyn Allcorn. “We are a relatively young company,
established in 2003, and we saw ISO 22000 as a good way of becoming better known and
increasing existing and potential customers’ confidence in us. ISO 22000 is widely recognised in our export markets, particularly in EU, Asian and developing countries. “Within our organisation we saw ISO 22000 as a way of further improving our existing food safety and quality processes, further increasing staff attention to detail and reinforcing our culture of continual improvement.”

HOW WESTBURY DAIRIES WAS ASSESSED

Westbury Dairies chose independent assessor SGS to carry out its ISO 22000 assessment. Operating in the food and many other sectors, SGS is a leading inspection, verification, testing, training and certification organisation. SGS has certified more than 50,000 organisations worldwide. After carrying out a one-day precertification visit, SGS’ assessor spent several days monitoring Westbury Dairies’ food safety system documentation and completed her assessment with a two day on-site certification audit. Westbury Dairies achieved full compliance, with no non-conformities. Its’ ISO 22000 certification covers the three years to March 2009. “Our experience of using SGS was very positive,” says Martyn Allcorn. “Our assessor was knowledgeable, obviously very experienced, and practical in her auditing style. In addition, she and other SGS staff kept us informed throughout the process.”

“STRONG MESSAGE”

“Westbury Dairies’ comprehensive food safety management programme incorporates robust and functional interactive communication, system management, good manufacturing practice and HACCP principles,” says SGS’ UK Product Manager ISO 22000 and Lead Auditor, David Glenister. “Westbury Dairies’ ISO 22000 certification sends a strong message to the food industry and customers of its commitment towards food safety management.”

FURTHER INFORMATION
For more information please contact
SGS United Kingdom Ltd
Systems & Services Certification
SGS House
217-221 London Rd
Camberley
Surrey
GU15 3EY
Tel: +44 (0) 1276 697999
Fax: +44 (0) 1276 697696
Email: ukenquiries@sgs.com