Meat processing company Mekeni Food Corporation (MFC) has received a world-class certification for food safety management as it eyes expansion at home and abroad. The firm’s hotdog processing plant located in Porac, Pampanga is the first in the country certified to Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) 22000. Recognized by benchmarking organization Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), such certification allows MFC to use FSSC 22000 standard to meet the requirements of several global retailers or major branded food companies under one, internationally-recognized food safety management system. MFC president Prudencio Garcia shared how the Mekeni team has continued to search for improvement and its desire to surpass previous achievements. He acknowledged how important people in the success of the business and keys to achieving a world-class certification seen to boost the company’s expansion plans. “Instead of sending Filipinos outside (of the country), we’ll send our products outside,” he said. MFC, during the recent awarding of food safety certification, also presented its newest tagline, “Masarap na, World Class pa!” which sets its vision in exporting Mekeni products around the world. SGS managing director Rosario Cajucom-Bradbury said bestowing the FSSC award on MFC is even higher standard than its previous certification under ISO 22000, otherwise known as food safety management system. The company already made history in 2006 when it was conferred with the ISO 22000, a first in the Philippines and in Asia, and second in the world. Bradbury confirmed that MFC is the first company that they would be awarding the FSSC 22000 certification in the meat processing industry specifically in the hotdog category. Agriculture Asst. Secretary Salvador Salacup, for his part, expressed gratitude for Mekeni for its leadership in food safety and quality and for upgrading the quality level of Filipino products in the global market.
Resposted– Danielle Venz, PHILEXPORT News and Features
