Cor Groenveld – Live from the GFSI Latin America
09/02/2011
Read the newest blog from LRQA's food expert, Cor Groenveld...
September 2, 2011
Following attendance at yesterday’s LRQA Food Forum Brazil, today I am at the GFSI Focus Day in Sao Paulo today together with Vel Pillay, Luiz Buenodasilva and other representatives from our office in Sao Paulo.
More then 400 delegates from all parts of the food supply chain are participating in this event, and LRQA is one of the sponsors. Interest to attend today’s event was so high that the GFSI event organizers had to close registrations.
The event is very interesting and appreciated very much by the delegates. There are speakers from WalMart, Coca Cola, Cargil, La Huerta, JBS and many more. The presentations explain the work of GFSI but also provide very practical information on how to implement food safety management systems and how to be certified against one of the GFSI recognized standards.
Frank Yiannas from WalMart showed clearly how important food safety management still is by sharing the growing number of large food safety crisis. He also shared the result of an investigation that shows that the number of recalls of suppliers has been reduced by 30% after implementing a GFSI recognized standard.
Ulisses Dias from Cargill, who also spoke during yesterday’s LRQA Food Forum, shared how Cargill implements FSSC 22000 and what benefits it provides across the organization.
Another interesting presentation came from Marc Cwikowski of Coca Cola. He presented the Global Markets Capacity Building Programme from GFSI that supports small and less developed food manufacturers to achieve GFSI recognized certification in three steps.
This afternoon, I will attend in a panel discussion with GFSI recognized scheme owners where I will represent FSSC 22000.
The last two days have proved to be very successful events and I am confident both have provided the delegates with a lot of useful information that they can put into practice to help strengthen food safety practices. Today is also the final day of my week in Sao Paulo and I will return to Europe tonight.
I look back on a succesful business trip in this facinating and fast growing country with very kind and hospital people and of course great food!
Regards,
Cor Groenveld
Global Manager Food Services – LRQA