Food Safety Standard: Crown Flour Mill Gets Top Certification

L-R: Rhoda Abah, System Auditor, Bureau Veritas; Ashish Pande, Managing Director, Crown Flour Mill; Moshood Quadri, Head, Human Resources, Crown Flour Mill; Datti Danjuma, General Manager, Human Resources, Crown Flour Mill; and Adenike Akinbote, Certification Manager, Bureau Veritas, at the presentation of Food Safety Standard Certification (FSSC) 22000 to CFM Ikorodu Plant in Lagos on Friday, September 3, 2021

In recognition of its commitment to continuous food quality improvement and safety standards, Crown Flour Mill Limited (CFM) has been awarded the Food Safety Standard Certification (FSSC) 22000. The food safety standard certification proves that all CFM range of products such as Mama Gold Flour, Crown Premium Pasta, Supreme Semolina, amongst others, comply with the stringent requirements of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and those of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).

The food standardisation certification was formally presented to the top flour miller and food manufacturer by Bureau VERITAS, a global leader in food testing, inspection and certification services, at a brief ceremony held at the Ikorodu plant of CFM on Thursday, September 2, 2021. This latest standardisation certification further emphasizes the leading food manufacturer’s continued commitment to the highest food quality and safety standards, having already secured international food safety certifications for its Warri, Port Harcourt, and Tin Can, Apapa production plants and full regulatory MANCAP for all its products.

The FSSC 22000 will also strengthen the popularity of all CFM’s food brand products among the teeming consumer markets that have consistently demonstrated overt preferences for the brand’s products as a result of the quality, safety, affordability and nutrition benefits of the products.

Speaking during the presentation of the food fortification certification to the firm, Ashish Pande, the Managing Director of CFM, said, “The FSSC 22000 certification is a demonstration of our sustained commitment to standard and safe practices across our food production processes beginning from how we source raw food materials from a wide network of vendors, to how we handle the food processing procedures, packaging and transportation across multiple channels.”

He added, “We continue to invest in best food production and fortification technology while consistently auditing our processes to avoid food hazards and risks. These overwhelming commitments to quality food production procedures boost consumers’ confidence in our food brands as evidenced by our brand loyalty assessments and positive feedback received in all trade channels. Our customers, therefore, take pride in our food standardisation efforts as they keep enjoying our most nourishing and affordable food products.” 

Rhoda Abah, System Auditor, Bureau VERITAS, explained that CFM food production systems were closely audited before the certification. According to her, “Based on auditing results from all testing and inspection exercises carried out by our team on CFM food production plants, the firm is one of the topmost food manufacturers that are committed to efficient, safe, and robust food production and management practices that meet global best practices.”

She, however tasked the firm to continue to improve on its processes, saying, “Having the certificate isn’t the end-goal. A commitment to continuous improvement is key to keep maintaining the current food safety and quality standard.” 

Pande thanked Bureau VERITAS for painstakingly carrying out the audits, tests, and assessment exercises while assuring that the organisation is not resting on its oars, as quality management is a continuous and lasting pursuit of Olam, the leading agribusiness conglomerate to which CFM belongs.

“We understand that food safety protects consumers from health risks and ensures compliance with customer requirements, legislation and national/international standards. Therefore, we will continue to ensure that all legal and regulatory requirements are met at all levels, with rigorous procedures followed in line with GSFI standards to optimize best practices,” the CFM MD assured.