Meatco canning gets clean bill of health
Meatco's cannery department was recently audited by Lucky Star divisional food safety and quality assurance manager, Michael Young.
According to Meatco quality assurance manager, Hosea Shaanika, the recent findings have shown an improvement in the corned meat product manufacturing and packaging systems, compared to the previous audit.
The audit, which takes place annually, follows the recent outbreak of Listeriosis in South Africa.
The neighbouring country earlier this year recalled ready-to-eat meat products from retail chain stores nationally, after scientists traced the source of the dangerous food-borne disease to Enterprise Foods and Rainbow Chicken products. These products are also exported to Namibia.
Food products identified as the source of the disease are polonies, while other products such as viennas, russians, frankfurters, other sausages and cold meats not typically cooked, were also affected, due to the risk of cross-contamination.
According to Meatco an audit on hygiene testing and on product safety was conducted and the auditor was impressed with the entire process at the plant level.
Meatco is yet to receive the final audit report from the certification body, but in the event of any minor findings, they will be rectified and closed off within ten days of receiving the report.
Meatco continues to grow with every audit, by constantly improving systems, in order to meet the requirements for a successful audit completion, the company said.
STAFF REPORTER
According to Meatco quality assurance manager, Hosea Shaanika, the recent findings have shown an improvement in the corned meat product manufacturing and packaging systems, compared to the previous audit.
The audit, which takes place annually, follows the recent outbreak of Listeriosis in South Africa.
The neighbouring country earlier this year recalled ready-to-eat meat products from retail chain stores nationally, after scientists traced the source of the dangerous food-borne disease to Enterprise Foods and Rainbow Chicken products. These products are also exported to Namibia.
Food products identified as the source of the disease are polonies, while other products such as viennas, russians, frankfurters, other sausages and cold meats not typically cooked, were also affected, due to the risk of cross-contamination.
According to Meatco an audit on hygiene testing and on product safety was conducted and the auditor was impressed with the entire process at the plant level.
Meatco is yet to receive the final audit report from the certification body, but in the event of any minor findings, they will be rectified and closed off within ten days of receiving the report.
Meatco continues to grow with every audit, by constantly improving systems, in order to meet the requirements for a successful audit completion, the company said.
STAFF REPORTER
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