Not only was this certification a way for Exp. Group LLC to comply with the FDA Food Modernization Safety Act (FSMA) but it also provided the company with new opportunities. “It opened up our selling possibility to some supermarket chains,” says Erik Chikhani Carrillo. “There are companies we weren’t able to deal with without Global Food Safety Initiative certification, such as providing food manufacturers with raw materials. We couldn’t sell to them before but now we can because this is basically a guarantee that our product is safe.”
Heavy work load
The process was labor-intensive on many levels starting with paperwork. “You need to have at least three months of records regarding things like pest management, cleaning and sanitation, training for your personnel and more,” says Chikhani Carrillo. “There are a lot of details the program requires and you need all of that recorded.”
However one of the more challenging aspects of the certification was training staff. “We really had to change the way we do business,” says Chikhani Carrillo. “We had to round up our whole operating personnel in the warehouse and train them on manufacturing practises, washing hands, chemical handling and more.” Not only were there infrastructure changes—think changing all the locks on the warehouse to open from inside the facility—but behaviorial changes as well. “Things like instead of putting boxes directly on the floor for example, we have to put them on a pallet or for any inspections or anyone touching the fruit, they need to wear gloves,” he says.
Continued certification
The certification is a renewable one with audits being made in subsequent years. In the third year of the certification, the audit is unannounced, though companies are given a 60-day period during which the auditor could show up and conduct their inspection.
For more information:
Erik Chikhani Carrillo
Exp Group LLC
Tel: +1 (201) 662-2001
erik@expgroup.us
www.expgroup.us