18123_NSFM-mei-2021_Guts_Totaal_UK_1_Spreads_LR

guts
stories
Marc de
Bondt Quality
Assurance
Aartsen Breda.
What is the IFS certification scheme?
The GFSI – Global Food Safety Initiative – has officially
recognised a number of certification programmes for the
fresh produce sector, like the BRC, FSSC2000 and IFS.
Broadly speaking, the IFS certification scheme evaluates
companies’ quality systems for assuring food safety.
During an audit, they test if Aartsen's processes meet
IFS standards. The benefit of having a certification like
IFS is that it's recognised worldwide.
What challenge did you face?
In November, I let the organisation know an IFS
audit was coming up and that I'd be willing to do
the groundwork for the audit. And they gave me
that opportunity.
Was this a logical fit for you?
I enjoy problem-solving and it's challenging and fun
to work on these issues at a higher level. During the
process, I read up on certification standards and had
to get to grips with virtually all of Aartsen's internal
processes. But we'd been certified in 2020, so the
foundation was already there. My colleagues
and I made sure improvements were made
where needed, to give even better food safety
guarantees. Ensuring food safety is something
we've all got to do together.
You dove in with no doubts
or reservations?
Yep, I threw myself right into the project.
In November, I started getting things ready
for the audit in January. Next to my regular
duties, of course. For me, this represented an
opportunity to develop, and I'd do it again,
no question. I work on product quality and
quality in the broadest sense of the word –
that's the best of both worlds.
What did you get out of
this project?
First of all, we scored well on the audit.
What I myself got out of it is more depth.
I put myself forward and really wanted to
step up to the plate. That made an important
practical difference for Aartsen and meant
personal development for me. It's put me
on a clear course in my professional career.
I want to continue developing and I think
this IFS audit was the first step.
nonstop
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