SALSA – the alternative choice for certification
We are quite often asked by SME food businesses whether SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approval) is a viable alternative to a more in depth standard such as the BRC Global Standards Global Standard for Food Safety.
Well the SALSA standard can certainly be an alternative route and is very useful for smaller food businesses who may find achievement of certification to the BRC Global Standards Standard just a little too difficult a first. Leading on from achievement of the SALSA standard, those businesses who then grow might be able to more easily achieve certification to the BRC Global Standards Standard, having met the SALSA Standard as a good “stepping stone”.
In many ways the SALSA Standard also meets the increasing challenge amongst the retail sector to promote local sourcing and a reduction in food miles. The scheme is supported by a number of major retailers and trade organisations, including the BRC Global Standards who form part of a joint venture for the scheme together with The National Farmers Union, The Food and Drink Federation and the British Hospitality Association.
The Standard Requirements
These are based on HACCP and the management of pre-requisite controls:-
- Section 1: The Management of the HACCP pre-requisite controls
- Section 2: The HACCP Plan itself, HACCP review, corrective action, traceability, managing incidents and complaint handling
- Section 3: Documentation including specifications, procedures and records
- Section 4: Premises (site standards)
The SALSA website is informative, well laid out and helpful. If you are a small food business interested in supplying some of the major retailers or hospitality companies at a local level and want to achieve certification to the SALSA Standard, then please do contact us. We can help you right through to implementation and your first audit, and beyond, as a source of advice, training and auditing expertise.
Richard Mallett
[email protected]
