TLC's Athens, GA PackaginG Facility Earns SQF 2000, Level 3 Certification
Holland, Michigan, October 12, 2009 – A Total Logistic Control® (TLC) facility in Athens, Ga., has been certified by Safe Quality Food (SQF) Institute in recognition of its food safety and quality assurance practices. The months-long process to earn the SQF 2000 certification, which is designed for manufacturers, processors and distributors, required TLC to present ongoing evidence of sustainable food safety and quality systems and will require additional audits during the first three years of certification.
“In an age when food safety is more important than ever, this certification gives our clients even more confidence in our systems, processes, facility and employees,” said Kevin Hall, TLC’s director of manufacturing. “From HACCP plans to site security to quality systems, the certification ensures that virtually every aspect of plant operations is effective and functioning properly. It fits perfectly with our corporate vision of executing with passion, driving innovation, and serving through the client’s eyes.”
The SQF (Safe Quality Food) Program is a leading global food safety and quality certification program and management system, designed to meet the needs of buyers and suppliers worldwide.
“Producing safe food is a priority for all food manufacturers,” said Jill Hollingsworth, group vice president of food safety programs at FMI. “Achieving SQF certification provides verification that a supplier’s food safety and quality management system complies with international and domestic food safety regulations. This enables suppliers to assure their customers that food has been produced, processed, prepared and handled according to the highest possible standards, at all levels of the supply chain.”
SQF is designed as a food safety program, but it also covers product quality, a feature that is unique to a certification program of this type. Assuring consistent quality and meeting buyer specifications are important aspects of the buyer-supplier relationship.
The program was launched in 1994 in Australia and since 2004 has been administered by the SQF Institute (SQFI), a division of the Food Marketing Institute (FMI). SQF certifications have been issued to thousands of companies operating in Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East and North and South America.
TLC’s Athens facility earned a “superior” rating in the highest level of SQF 2000 certification, which included a comprehensive review of the site’s food packaging safety and quality management system. “We’ve very proud of this certification as it validates the work we’ve done for years in Athens, and it helps us demonstrate how we’re living up to our commitment to our customers," said Patti Ramien, the food safety and quality control manager for the facility.
The SQF 2000 audit for certification included a review of a wide array of records, practices and procedures at the Athens facility including such things as staff training, product identification and traceability, customer complaint records, and product sampling, inspection and analysis.
About TLC
Total Logistic Control (TLC) is an independent third-party logistics provider, focused on the CPG / Retail sectors, TLC delivers source-to-shelf supply chain solutions for some of the industry's largest companies. TLC leverages the resources and capabilities of one of the largest companies in the U.S. grocery industry, implementing distribution, transportation, contract logistics, packaging, procurement and supply chain engineering solutions. For more information on TLC, visit www.totallogistic.com, email info@totallogistic.com or call 800-333-5599.
About SQF Institute
The SQF Institute (SQFI) is a division of the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), an association that conducts programs in public affairs, food safety, research, education and industry relations on behalf of its 1,500 member companies - food retailers and wholesalers - in the United States and around the world. The SQF Institute was established by FMI in 2004 to administer the SQF Program and is located in Arlington, Virginia. To learn more, visit www.sqfi.com.