Mekeni Food Corporation passes another global food standard audit
MEKENI Food Corporation (Mekeni), a leader in food safety, recently passed the surveillance audit by a global testing and certification firm, proving its commitment to international food quality and safety standards.
The Porac, Pampanga-based food processing company has passed the unannounced surveillance audit in relation to its current certification to FSSC 22000 v5.1. The audit was conducted by SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection, and certification company.
“We continue to commit quality products to our consumers. Mekeni is but a steward of this business whose main objective is to create a livelihood for our workers. We are grateful for their support of our commitment,” said Mekeni President Prudencio Garcia.
FSSC 22000 v5.1 covers standards for the so-called Good Hygienic Practice and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point. Both GHP and HCCP are internationally-recognized frameworks for food consumption safety.
It is also aligned with the updates in Global Food Safety Initiative and covers adherence to ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management System, its pre-requisite programs, and additional requirements such as the management of services and purchased materials; improvements in product labeling; and storage and warehousing.
Mekeni, through the years, has passed various food safety certifications that include ISO 22000:2005 (Food Safety Management System), the World Quality Commitment Award (France, 2016), The International Arch of Europe (Germany, 2013), Century International Quality ERA Award (Switzerland, 2012), and Grand Slam Award for Best Meat Processing Plant A A A Category (NMIS, 2007).
Mekeni recently participated in IFEX, the largest international food trade fair in the Philippines. The event served as a venue for local food manufacturers like Mekeni to showcase their world-class products. The Department of Trade and Industries attended the threeday event to show support.its ISO 22000 certification in 2006 is the very first issued in Asia and second in the world. It is also a Grand Slam Winner as the Best Meat Processing Plant in the Philippines with “AAA” category from 2004 to 2006.
Mekeni is also the first and only heat-treated processing facility accredited by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries to export products to the said country.
Starting as a backyard business by husband and wife Felix and Meding Garcia in 1986, it now has operations and distribution in the United States, Canada, and other parts of North America, the Middle East, and parts of Europe.
The unannounced surveillance it passed manifests Mekeni’s adherence to food safety and quality control and solidifies that its commitment to food safety is an integral part of its processes. The certification will also enable the company to ready itself to pass the higher level of Version 6 when it rolls out next year.