Although
Saporito Foods has always emphasized security, quality and food safety, prospective
customers wanted proof. "When we were out soliciting business, the question
of food safety programs always came up," Tserpes recalls.
He turned
to Advantage HACCP, a program created specifically for small and mid-sized
food processors by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Foods and Rural Affairs.
Under
the program, processors develop an extensive list of food safety policies and
procedures, covering everything from sanitation to shipping practices. Each policy
and procedure must be carefully documented and monitored to make sure it is effective.
To achieve certification, companies undergo an independent audit conducted
by the Canadian General Standards Board, an agency of the federal government.
The company already followed many of the good manufacturing practices (GMPs)
that are a key component of a HACCP program. Even before incoming material hits
the plant floor, for example, it is thoroughly inspected, along with the truck
that delivers it.
The oil passes through fine filters, as well as a magnetic
detection system to screen out metals. At the other end, the final products are
packaged with tamper-evident seals, and outgoing trucks are inspected to make
sure they are clean and safe.
Saporito's biggest challenge was meticulously
documenting all of the procedures and policies. The Company also created a comprehensive
monitoring and tracking process to ensure that every Saporito product can be traced
quickly should a food safety issue ever arise after it leaves the plant.
"We
can track back any product to a specific batch, to the day that it was produced,
who was in the plant, and who came in contact with the product," explains
Tserpes.
That guarantee carries a lot of weight with the major retailers
and food service distributors who buy Saporito products. "Our customer base
feels much more comfortable dealing with a HACCP-certified company than not,"
says Tserpes.
For Saporito's staff, certification has boosted morale. Employees
take pride the quality of their products and cleanliness of their working environment.
In
terms of sales, Tserpes expects certification will pay off with more private-label
business and with increased revenues from customers willing to pay a little more
for guaranteed food quality.
Ultimately though, the biggest benefit is peace
of mind, both for him and for his customers. "I firmly believe that manufacturers
should be responsible," he says. "They should have some accountability
for the product they sell."
With Advantage HACCP certification,
Saporito Foods is doing just that.
Contact Information:
Bill
Tserpes, President and Owner, Saporito Foods Inc.
Tel: 905-944-0505
Email: btserpes@saporitofoods.com
Website: www.saporitofoods.com
"Our customer base feels much more comfortable dealing
with a HACCP- certified company," says Bill Tserpes, President and Owner.
Figure 1: Bill Tserpes, President,
Saporito Foods Inc. 
