Corporate Responsibility » Sustainability » Food Safety

The Consumer Protection Act, published in the first half of 2009 and which makes food retailers ultimately accountable for food
safety, is extensively changing the Group’s approach to this crucial aspect of its business. Where in the past responsibility for food safety devolved mainly on the manufacturer, the retailer will, in terms of the new legislation, be fully responsible for the safety of the products he sells. It will be incumbent on him to either audit the manufacturing processes of suppliers to ensure they meet all prescribed requirements or to obtain audit certificates from those suppliers who themselves initiate the auditing process.

There is a 12-month period before the Act comes into force. Although it is seen as a major step forward in protecting consumers, the Act will unavoidably have a far-reaching effect on especially small suppliers. Those who are not already fully compliant will have to invest heavily to become so. This will impact on their cost structures and their pricing, and could make them uncompetitive in an environment where price is a high priority. The requirements of the Act will thus put considerable pressure on the Group’s established policy of preferential treatment of Small, Medium and Micro (SMM) enterprises and will force it to reconsider its trading relations with those who do not comply with all food safety regulations as the Group cannot risk compromising the safety of consumers.

For consistency in the application of its food safety requirements, a Group Food Safety System was instituted that covers the activities of all staff, suppliers, contractors and service providers. As part of this process a food safety manual was prepared that details every aspect of food handling in stores. The Group is also closely involved in the Food Safety Initiative (FSI) of the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa.

It works closely with producers, manufacturers and the health authorities to achieve its objectives. It continues to be more selective in terms of the suppliers it deals with, acknowledging those with proper food safety controls in place such as HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) and ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) accreditation. More than 50% of the total product offering is obtained from the country’s foremost food manufacturers who already adhere to international food safety standards and with whom the Group enjoys a long and close working relationship. Certain ranges are sourced overseas from reputable suppliers, particularly for the Group’s operations elsewhere in Africa, while the balance is obtained from smaller local manufacturers.

Particular attention is paid to product safety in the case of the Group’s own brands and private label ranges which involve more than 2000 product lines. These are acquired only from suppliers committed to best practice in manufacturing. A risk analysis process was developed in line with international practice. All own products are tested for safety on a regular basis by independent laboratories. Sensory evaluations of relevant products in respect of taste and appearance are carried out on a monthly basis while consumer panels routinely do comparative tastings of competitor products.

The meticulous application of product safety measures is standard practice particularly in the case of perishable products which represent an increasing part of the consumer basket. Freshmark, the Group’s fruit and vegetable procurement and distribution division, buys more than 95% of its fresh produce directly from 550 local farming operations where it is produced to its specifications. Of these suppliers by far the majority comply with international acceptable food safety standards. Regular farm inspections backed by independent laboratory assessments ensure production, handling and packaging requirements are fully met and the cold chain maintained between farm and distribution centre.

Another area in which particular care is exercised is fresh meat for the Group’s Meat Markets. All carcasses delivered to our butcheries are from abattoirs which are approved by SAMIC (the South African Meat Industry Company), established by the Government to protect the interest of consumers. Strictly controlled handling procedures, modern refrigerated trucks and dedicated delivery points at the stores ensure that the cold chain is maintained.

In-store hygiene is the responsibility of the various divisions who have to comply with a protocol which is audited on an ongoing basis, both internally and by an independent laboratory. In line with the protocol the laboratory conducts swab tests on service department equipment, working surfaces and the personal hygiene of staff. Deviation from the protocol’s set standards by stores is followed up immediately. Staff deployed in service departments receive additional training in personal hygiene and sanitation procedures. Pest and rodent control programmes are in operation in all stores and waste is processed and removed off-site on a high-frequency basis.

[Back to top]