As a leading manufacturer in the food industry, Fuchs is committed to food safety and delivering quality seasonings and spice blends to our customers, the first time and every time. We are passionate about promoting and encouraging a culture of continuous improvement in food safety.
Our senior management team instills a culture dedicated to our food safety culture by ensuring adequate resources are in place to achieve our food safety objectives. Our employees strive to carry out those objectives day in and day out, and we view our annual SQF audit as a valuable tool to achieve our continuous improvement goals. Keep reading to learn about the food safety culture, programs, and mindset at Fuchs, as well as our most recent audit scores!
What is SQF?
Safe Quality Food (SQF) is a food safety standard recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). Our Grand Forks, North Dakota plant location received a score of 98 (out of a possible 100) on our most recent SQF audit. Our Hampstead, Maryland location had an unannounced audit this year with a score of 94!
Fuchs Food Safety Culture
Our employees are the reason why out facilities are able to boast such outstanding audit scores. Fuchs engages and empowers all employees to play an active role in the Fuchs Food Safety program. Our employees are provided with the food safety training necessary to engage them to take ownership of their role in food safety. In addition, employees are empowered to enforce good food safety behaviors and to ensure critical issues are properly escalated and managed at all times.
When it’s time for an SQF audit, each key Fuchs manager attends the SQF audit opening meeting. While the auditor makes their way throughout the plant, the manager of that area describes to the auditor the processes in place for their managed area. The auditor is able to approach any employee at random to observe or ask questions, and due to their hard work, commitment to food safety, and thorough trainings our employees display confidence in their responses.
Food Safety Programs
The Food Safety programs we have in place at Fuchs are the driving force behind a robust SQF system. We maintain a comprehensive Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan with Hazard Analysis and Risk-based Preventive Control (HARPC) measures. Click here for a HARPC and HACCP overview.
It’s critical that we don’t fall behind on any these processes, and in order to ensure that we are always proactive in our approach, we have implemented flow diagrams that are verified by our food safety team to ensure that all the proper steps for each specific process are included and potential introductions of hazards are identified.
Environmental monitoring is used to identify potential issues, and we have a strong focus on supply chain integrity, foreign supplier verification, and traceability. We regularly run tests on our recall, crisis management, and food defense systems to ensure that we will be prepared and confident in case of a real event. We stay ahead of emerging issues within the industry by regularly participating in the American Spice Trade Association and SNAC International Trade Association meetings and activities, and our staff monitors all FDA alerts.
Continuous Improvement Mindset
At Fuchs, we understand that there is always space to grow and improve our processes. Therefore, we have adopted a continuous improvement mindset. We conduct internal audits regularly and our program includes members from various departments, including engineering, formulation, HR, maintenance, milling, mixing, packing, planning, quality, R&D, regulatory, and the sample lab. These internal audits have been designed to verify the effectiveness of pre-requisite programs, equipment, and food safety plans. Observations from each audit are recorded and assigned to the applicable department manager if there is a need for corrective action.
In addition, if there are any correctional trends seen over multiple audit sessions, those are discussed during regular management reviews to identify potential gaps that may need improvement. Fuchs documents all of these actions and remains prepared to show these records during SQF audits.
Our mission is to bring the joy of food to life, and we strive to create the most craveable and flavorful products for our customers in a way that makes food safety a priority. Our outstanding audit scores demonstrate our commitment to practicing the highest global food safety standards.
Contact us today to create next-level products, with confidence in using an SQF-certified supplier.