In Brazil's dynamic food market, food safety and quality management are crucial for both producers and consumers. Frimesa is one of the companies committed to excellence in these areas. By utilising the IFS Progress Food Program and later achieving IFS Food Certification, the company has taken significant steps to enhance its operational capabilities, ensure robust food safety systems, and foster supplier development.
Frimesa is a central cooperative with five partner cooperatives located in the western part of the State of Paraná. This cooperative structure benefits thousands of small producers who supply raw materials, such as milk and pork, within a controlled production chain. Frimesa ranks as Brazil's fourth-largest pig slaughter company and operates six industrial plants.
The Road to IFS Progress Food
Frimesa's journey began with a pressing need to standardise processes to meet the increasingly stringent demands of customers and large retailers. Recognising the importance of third-party assessments, the quality team evaluated various options available in the market. A visit from IFS Technical Staff convinced the company to pursue IFS Food certification by starting with the IFS Progress Food Program. The IFS Progress Food Program offers the flexibility and structure necessary to build a foundation for adequate food safety and quality processes. The decision to pursue IFS Progress was significant because it reduces the number of customer audits and allows Frimesa to publicly demonstrate its commitment to food safety and quality.
Overcoming Challenge
One of the main challenges Frimesa faced was resuming third-party audits and introducing them to the many production sites that were new to quality and food safety assessments. This transition was especially daunting since their prior certification experience mainly focused on the ISO 9001 standard, which emphasises quality management systems.
However, the dedication and commitment of all team members enabled Frimesa to overcome these challenges successfully. Implementing IFS-driven requirements, including supplier programs, food fraud and defence strategies, crisis management principles, and a food safety culture, was a significant transformation. Over time, their efforts paid off in the form of more customers and training opportunities, greater diversity, and streamlined bureaucratic processes that better met customer requirements.
The benefits of a step-by-step approach
One of the keys to Frimesa's success was the decision to adopt a step-by-step approach to certification. After being without certification for some time, the team found that starting with IFS Progress Food helped employees gradually understand the value of being certified. This step-by-step method led to a cultural shift, as employees began to embrace their roles in upholding quality and safety standards. As Frimesa became well-rooted in IFS Progress Food, the team felt prepared to tackle new challenges, ultimately leading to a transition to IFS Food certification, demonstrating their readiness to further accelerate their processes and operations.
The transition to IFS Food
In 2022, Frimesa officially transitioned to IFS Food certification, starting with the Cheese Manufacturing Unit (UFQ), which had demonstrated excellent performance over six years. Recognising the necessity of GFSI-recognised certifications to meet the requirements of specific clients and importers, Frimesa began preparing its second industrial plant, the Medianeira Refrigeration Unit (UFM), for this certification in 2024. The decision to proceed with certification initiatives was made collaboratively, involving senior management and unit managers to ensure comprehensive alignment on goals and expectations.
Navigating future challenges
As with any transformation, challenges are inevitable. Frimesa's journey involved navigating sector-specific challenges in meeting certification requirements, substantial investments in infrastructure, and altering the corporate culture to highlight the importance of compliance. Persistence, meticulous planning, training, and extensive meetings with leadership played crucial roles in overcoming these challenges.
Conclusion
Frimesa's implementation of IFS Progress Food represents a significant achievement in its commitment to food safety and quality management. By engaging in strategic planning, fostering collaborative decision-making, and maintaining a strong focus on continuous improvement, Frimesa continues to enhance its operational standards and strengthen its reputation as a leading company in the Brazilian pork and dairy industries. While the journey continues, the progress achieved serves as an exemplary model for others striving for excellence in food safety and quality management.
We thank the Quality Management Team of Frimesa for their input to this blog post.
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