Jamaican poultry producer supports HACCP Certification

Jamaican poultry producer, Caribbean Broilers (CB) hopes to boost chicken exports after investing over $30 million in a certification programme for local farmers.

Nineteen poultry farmers were recently certified under ISO 9001:2008, HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) through Switzerland-based Société Générale de Surveillance.

Farmers must implement a preventative maintenance plan for the equipment being used, undergo an audit of their suppliers, documentation policies as it relates to traceability of the products and a plan to upgrade all the farms’ infrastructure to be compliant with HACCP procedures.

Certification of the farms was completed over a one-year period. CB aims to certify another 23 farmers so that they are all certified by the end of the next fiscal year. The certification, which started in mid-2013, allows CB to export chickens produced by the farmers. The food processor currently exports chicken feed and a small quantity of chicken to 11 Caribbean countries.

“This means increased profits for our farmers, safer food for Jamaicans and efficiency in our operations, allowing us to operate at a global level,” brand manager at CB, Alicia Bogues told the Caribbean Business Report.

CB Group has invested millions over the last three years to increase capacity and upgrade their processing plant and farms to be ‘Certified SAFE’.

Source: Jamaica Observer