Danisco Sugar gets ISO 22000

Danisco's sugar factory in Assens, Denmark, has been certified to the new ISO 22000, one of the first ingredient firms to get the safety approval released in September this year.

ISO 22000 is a specific standard for food processors setting out safety management procedures. The standard will play a key part in the efforts by governments and regulators to keep contaminants out of the food chain.

It will also be valued by global processors to ensure that their suppliers are following approved food safety standards.

Henrik Solkær, vice president responsible for sustainable development in Danisco Sugar, said: "We constantly strive to improve our safety efforts and we've long been awaiting a global standard covering both food and feed as an alternative to many industry standards."

"We see it as a clear signal to the world of our stance on food and feed safety."

SGS said in November that it had issued the first ISO 22000 certification to a fish processor in Spain. Danisco's certification came from BVQI Denmark, which said the award was its first.

The standard is recognised by more than 40 countries and is applicable to the entire food chain ranging from primary producers over processing businesses (i.e. dairies, meat processors and bakeries) to retailers. It also applies to ingredient, feed, transport and packaging businesses.