Meredith-Springfield Associat, Inc. (meredithspringfield.com), a plastics manufacturer specializing in extrusion blow molding and injection stretch blow molding, has earned the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQF) certification recognized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Representing brands such as Mrs. Dash® and Vermont Maid® Syrup, Meredith-Springfield is a packaging supplier for many household brands that food manufacturers and families can trust.

“Today’s consumer demands more in terms of quality and safety control, especially when it comes to food packaging,” says president and CEO of Meredith-Springfield, Mel O’Leary, Jr. “As a manufacturer of packaging that is used for food, I believe we have responsibility to do our part in maintaining safety – ‘from farm to fork’ – which is why we opted to go through the SQF process. This globally recognized certification moves down the chain from retailers and food service providers to suppliers like us, representing verifiable proof that robust food safety control systems have been effectively implemented.”

The SQF program is recognized by retailers and food service providers around the world as a rigorous, credible food safety management system. It is the only certification system recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) that offers certificates for primary production, food manufacturing, distribution and agent/broker management. 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. Additionally, as a division of the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), the SQF program incorporates continual retailer feedback about consumer concerns. This information is passed on to SQF certified suppliers, keeping them a step ahead of their competitors.

“We want our customers, and those who buy their products, to know that the SQF process is a very comprehensive benchmarking system that goes beyond an initial review,” O’Leary says. “The process includes ongoing efforts that show evidence of continuous monitoring procedures. SQF is the only scheme to integrate a quality component as well as food safety, which is why it is the most trusted source for global food safety and quality certification.”

Meredith-Springfield earned certification for the SQF Code Edition 7.2; level 2, certified Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP). HACCP is a management system in which food safety is addressed through the analysis and control of biological, chemical and physical hazards from raw material product, procurement and handling, to manufacturing, distribution and consumption of the finished product. The certification was granted March 1 and Meredith-Springfield will be audited again in January 2017.