The President of the World Food Safety Organisation (WFSO), Guy Kurkjian, recently presented HACCP certification to the chairman of Federated Mills, Charles Demicoli.

Federated Mills have been preparing for the past couple of years to bring the company up to the standard to achieve Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP), which also formed part of the upgrading to achieve EU standards.

Part of the work included fitting forced air ventilation to ensure no windows are opened to prevent access to any insects or birds; a state of the art laboratory; upgrading of all machinery; setting up cleaning schedules; the installation of the latest detector to pick up any impurities and an ongoing training programme for all employees.

HACCP certification is not a one off exercise, WFSO inspectors audit the company every six months to ensure standards are maintained.

In its bid to further improve hygiene and work standards in the trade, Federated Mills is also helping bakers to install their own silos to enable the delivery of flour in bulk, rather than in sacks.

"It is well known that food products in the EU and indeed in the Western hemisphere are subject to strict regulations. Achieving HACCP certification has been one of our achieved goals in ensuring our product reaches the consumer in optimum condition", said Federated Mills chairman Charles Demicoli.