Elgin Free Range Chickens Obtains It's Blue Status
Elgin Free Range Chickens Obtains It's Blue Status
Elgin Free Range Chickens were audited (audit: IBL - Woolworths Hygiene/PPC Audit) by Woolworths (auditing company: FSSI-IBL) on 12 and 13 Oct. This is a unannounced audit and only a 48 hour notice is given. During the audit their Quality Management System is audited from start to finish and the factory is inspected. All machinery and equipment are taken apart and swabbed to ensure compliance on cleaning and hygiene. It is a 2 day audit in which all food safety and quality systems are audited – such as allergen management, critical control points (like temperature), foreign object control, etc.
To say that they had done EXTREMELY well with the audit, would be an understatement! They had achieved their goal of obtaining the BLUE status. How do the status colours work (in laymen terms)?:
Red – you are border line not a WW supplier anymore
Amber – You have got some major issues
Green means less than 4 major non-conformances – this is considered to be a very good status to have (Elgin had been on this status for the past few years)
Blue - excellent with absolutely no major non-conformances – this is an absolute goal that ALL suppliers dream of and ultimately strive to
This is from the Technical Manager: Woolworths Foods - Protein and Dairy
Of the 123 Total Audits conducted thus far (2011/2012) there are 4 Suppliers rated Blue.
· 2- SIB category suppliers
· 1- Groceries category supplier
· 1 -Protein category supplier
Basically Elgin is the only supplier in the perishable side of the business to have achieved blue status so far this calendar year. This puts Elgin in the top 4% of suppliers with regards to adherence to hygiene and product standards.
Needless to say, a huge celebration was held!
This is one thing the auditor focussed on (this has been taken from his executive summary): “The overall impression from start to finish during the inspection of the Premises and Systems is one of Staff Commitment (Management and general workers).”
Well done and congratulations to Jeanne and all the staff at Elgin Free Range Chickens!
