BARENS SAFETY AND QUALITY REGULATIONS
Our aim is to continually meet the needs of our customers and stakeholders by providing the solutions they want. The existence of quality standards that help us maintain the excellent level of our products and services is one of the best ways we achieve this aim.
As part of the quality standard procedures, tests are continuously carried out to ensure the properties and tastes of our products are acceptable. All this is done in accordance to food safety laws and standards.
It is because of the adherence to these procedures, laws and standards that we can provide a quality guarantee on Barens products.
ISO 9001 - 2000
As part of our operations, Barens uses the methodology of the ISO 9001 system. This system guides all our production processes and standards. We also use this method to measure our performance.
By using the quality management system, Barens is able to coordinate the execution of these guidelines at the various sites. The quality of our output is then audited to ensure it is compliant with the ISO 9001 - 2000 standard.
Our retailers often provide useful feedback and on the back of such feedback, Barens has gained British Retail Consortium (BRC) certification.
HAZARD ANALYSIS CRITICAL CENTRAL POINTS (HACCP)
The HACCP has built in capabilities that can map any threat to or along our production process, whether the threats are in a physical, microbiological or chemical form. As a result Barens pays close attention and places great emphasis on this matter so that we can outline distinct food safety guarantees.
GENERAL HYGIENE
Hygiene brochures are made available and training is provided to all staff on a regular basis. This is to ensure that staff is fully abreast of current procedures and requirements. This training also acts as an important refresher.
TRACEABILITY AND IDENTIFICATION
It is important to Barens that we can guarantee that all our raw materials and products can be traced. As a result we have developed, implemented and continue to manage our own identification system.
LEGISLATION AND REGULATION
As part of our quality system, Barens has all the necessary regulatory systems and legislations built in. This process covers all raw materials, processed and semi-finished products as well as in-country labeling and certain export countries.
MANAGEMENT OF ALLERGENS
In accordance with our policy and by using Codex Alimentarius, Barens seeks to isolate and eliminate dangerous allergens from the raw materials we process. The elimination begins at the production sites and where applicable we will replace the allergens with non-allergic alternatives.
GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMO)
As part of our commitment to providing the best products, Barens uses non GMO ingredients in all our products worldwide.
PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
Barens has implemented a function which promotes and ensures fast and accurate traceability of the products we manufacture. This procedure allows us to compile codes and lot numbers to assist in the tracing process.
TRANSPORTATION
We have very meticulous procedures in place to carry out loading, transportation and disposal of our solid and liquid products.
STORAGE OF SEMI-FINISHED AND FINISHED PRODUCTS
Raw material storage for finished and semi-finished products is also important to Barens. We therefore have procedures in place that adhere to HACCP standards for storage location design and display.
CONTROL OF FINISHED PRODUCTS
Finished products are selected and analyzed at random for the following parameters:
- Conformity with legal or other standards for aflatoxins
- Heavy metals and residues of pesticides/insecticides
- Traces of GMO
- Taste, smell, colour, fat composition
- Viscosity
- Microbiological and chemical parameters
PRODUCTION CONTROLS
In order to maintain quality, we constantly monitor our production processes for ways to improve and to ensure we deliver on what we promise. From the measured results, we maintain the expectations of our customers and provide overall process improvements.
RAW MATERIAL SUPPLY AND CONTROL
A part of our raw material control procedure, the materials used in packaging at our sites are only available from Barens approved suppliers and these materials must meet the Groups requirements and standards
The parameters of the materials used at each site are developed and implemented using defined quality plans. HACCP and GMP specifications are included in these parameters. In addition, the raw materials are evaluated against strict standards to ensure quality is maintained.