Behind this move was the promulgation in 2009 of the Consumer Protection Act, which has since become a prominent feature on the retail landscape. This Act holds all links in the supply chain jointly liable in ensuring consumers’ well-being. For this reason, retailers – the first point of contact for increasingly well-informed and militant consumers – need assurances that their supply chains have systems in place that control potential hazards.
Today, food safety forms a fundamental benchmark for consumer goods manufacturers and retailers when considering their downstream partners and suppliers.
Doing good is good for business
SA Litho’s forward-thinking commitment to excellence means that food safety is not seen as the sole responsibility of food and beverage manufacturers.
Sales director, Peter Sproul, outlines the company’s standpoint with regard to food safety: ‘As a link in the supply chain, we have a moral obligation to ensure that our products do not pose a risk to consumers or introduce hazards into the supply chain. We believe that doing the right thing is the right thing to do!’
It’s SA Litho’s belief that management systems strengthen the bottom line and the company has seen the positive impact of its structured systems in the ten years since attaining ISO 9001 certification.
The company’s directors agree that the resources dedicated to implementing ISO 22000 may be a short-term challenge, but that the long-term benefits to partners are well worth the investment.
By achieving this certification SA Litho’s partners throughout the consumer goods industries can rest assured that their labels are manufactured under stringent controls of good manufacturing practice and hygiene.