The most important certification programmes cover all key aspects; in other words, those that are most valued by consumers and, in general, regulated by the administrations of different countries. These include personnel, surface, equipment and implement hygiene and, naturally, that of the food itself: the prevention of pathogen contamination, its adequate storage and preparation, plague control, and allergen information, as well as measures to avoid cross-contamination.

In addition to the health benefits for consumers, the existence of universal food certifications facilitates international trade and allows for a better communication between stakeholders: farmers and breeders, food production centres, regulating authorities, suppliers and customers. 

Index

Food quality and safety certifications

Other important food industry certifications

• Environmental
• Energy efficiency
• Valuable attributes
• Cultural and religious
• Worker safety and health

Importaco Total Quality System

Food quality and safety certifications

IFS 

One of the most important food certifications of the industry. The International Featured Standards (IFS) encompass a protocol that covers the various processes and services throughout the supply chain, with the purpose of helping suppliers in offering safe products that are compliant with the laws in effect.

The general objectives of this certification range from establishing an uniform and common assessment system, to ensuring transparency in the supply chain, all the way through the reduction of costs and times between the various suppliers and retailers.

IFS does not specify how these processes need to be, but rather evaluates them through a risk-based approach. From there, it establishes a set of standards and recommendations that are used by manufacturers and distributors.

BRC Food Safety

This is a global food safety standard that has so far been adopted by the most important food industries of over 130 countries.

BRC Food Safety offers a reference framework to manage product safety, integrity, legal compliance and quality. In this way, distributors and supermarkets can rate their suppliers, ensuring that they guarantee compliance with certain requisites.

ENAC nut aflatoxin detection certification

At Importaco, our laboratory’s analysis technique to detect aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 by means of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and fluorescence detection has been certified by the ENAC (Spanish National Certification Organisation). Aflatoxins are among the main causes of food alerts among nuts in shells.

Nut testing at Importaco’s Technology Centre

ISO 17025 certification

The ISO 17025 certification is the process by which an independent entity (third party) audits a testing or calibration laboratory with the purpose of certifying that the organisation has the technical and human capacity for the activity that is within the scope of the certification.

Importaco has analysis techniques that are certified under this certification. More specifically, we are certified in the detection of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and fluorescence detection in nuts and peanuts, certified by the ENAC as per criteria specified in standard UNE-EN ISO/IEC 17025. Aflatoxins are among the main causes of food alerts in nuts in shells.

Our laboratory also performs analytic testing as per ISO 17025, such as the detection of amygdalin and alkylphenols, which cause “off flavours” and “off tastes” in nuts.

Inside Importaco Group’s Technology Centre

Other important food industry certifications

Environmental:

ISO 14001 environmental management certification

This Environmental Management System (EMS) standard enables companies to demonstrate that they are responsible and are committed to the protection of the environment. To this end, optimised strategies for the management of environmental risks that might arise during the company’s activities are implemented.

Aenor zero-waste certification

Importaco has recently obtained this certification issued by AENOR, which recognises environmental management efforts. We have successfully managed to have 99% of the waste generated by our largest and most important production centre to be reclaimed and recycled.

Energy efficiency:

ISO 50001 energy management system certification

The ISO 50001 standard certifies the Energy Management System in factories.

This Energy Management System (EnMS) implies a road towards the systematisation of the use of energy resource efficiency through continuous improvement and the implementation of our Energy Policy.

Its main benefits are a reduction of CO2 emissions, limiting the impact on the planet, and the recognition of the commitment to sustainability of members of the organisation, becoming part of the solution to climate change.

This action is part of Importaco’s Energy Savings and Efficiency Plan, which has the goal of reducing direct emissions by 20% by 2023, and consolidate an efficient management of energy resources towards an increasingly sustainable production.

The ISO 50001 standard has been implemented in combination with ISO 14001 to guarantee the involvement of all levels of the organisation in the reduction of its environmental impact, while complying with laws aimed at fostering actions towards energy savings.

Valuable attributes:

Ecological farming certification

This system certifies that an agricultural operation meets the requirements established by the European Union to be considered ecological farming. The most important ones are the non-use of synthetic chemicals (pesticides) or genetically-modified organisms, as well as the optimisation of natural resources. At Itac Professional some of our products have this certification. 

You might be interested in: Importaco Terra: towards a more sustainable and efficient almond cultivation

UTZ Certification / Rainforest Alliance 2020

The UTZ certification is used to ensure that coffee and cacao operations are performed under fair trade criteria, caring for the people and the environment and guaranteeing fair wages, good working conditions and an equitable distribution of wealth, while fostering a more sustainable agricultural production and responsible supply chains. 

The Rainforest Alliance 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard was born out of the merger of Rainforest Alliance and UTZ. This certification programme joined the Rainforest Alliance in 2018 to build synergies and increase its influence on the wellbeing of people and nature. Through a combination the strengths and know-how of both programs, a new agricultural standard was also created.

Importaco Chocolates uses this certification for cacao-based products, which are marked as fair trade products.

Cultural and religious:

HFCE Halal certification

The HFCE Halal Product Certification is used to guarantee Muslim consumers that the food product has been reviewed and verified by an Islamic organisation and that it complies with the Sharia.

Kosher Certification

The Kosher certification guarantees that all ingredients and tools that are used have no traces of products that are non-compliant with Kosher food policies, while also ensuring the compliance with certain standards in regard to cleanliness, purity and quality. The three main categories these products are classified into are dairy products, meat and pareve (those that contain neither meat nor dairy ingredients).

This certification does not only guarantee that a product has been manufactured as per Kosher policies, but also that all ingredients used are also Kosher-certified.

Worker safety and health:

ISO 45001

ISO 45001 is the new international workplace safety and health standard (WSHMS). It is a highly useful tool to help organisations and companies in managing risk and preventing work-related accidents and health problems.

This standard requires organisations to go beyond basic health and safety aspects and take into account society as a whole. In other words, think not only of the benefits to the company itself, but also about contractors, providers and, lastly, the effects of its activity.

These are some of the main certifications that a food manufacturer must comply with and that, for Itac Professional, B2B brand of Importaco Group, are our most important quality and safety credentials when facing any new project for the food industry. 

Importaco’s Total Quality System

The Total Quality System implemented by Importaco is based on a painstaking food safety control from the field all the way to the final product, which enables us to control the entire supply chain.

These are the cornerstones of this system:

1. Traceability
2. Sustainable supply chain
3. Safe, higher-quality products
4. Foster national agricultural development
5. Quality improvement and competitiveness in the field

In addition, at Importaco we apply the HACCP system in the processing of our products. This is an internationally-recognised system that helps organisations in identifying, assessing and controlling major threats to food innocuousness, a total control system from the field all the way to the table. It is, without a doubt, a process that supports food safety and the compliance with regulations in effect.

Furthermore, the implementation of criteria based on the HACCP system is highly effective in increasing the degree of food innocuousness, fostering the use of its principles and complying with specific codes required throughout the supply chain. 

As nut manufacturers and food industry suppliers, the Itac Professional brand is committed to the compliance with the most important food certifications in the industry, which serve as a guide to attain excellence in all of our products and services. They also enable us to demonstrate and communicate to suppliers and clients that our commitment to quality and health are not merely words, but specific facts, as well as our daily effort and continuous improvement.

ALMOND AND PEANUT IN NPD

Get to know the food trends driving innovation with these products and some innovative launches in the food industry.

The post Most important food certifications for industrial companies: all you need to know appeared first on Importaco Poland.

The departments in charge of developing new products in the food industry know how important it is to count with the best ingredients when manufacturing their creations. For this reason, purchasing staff from food manufacturers are increasingly on the lookout for suppliers who are specialised in their various ingredient offerings. In this regard, a supplier such as Itac Professional, which is highly specialised in nuts such as almonds and peanuts, is a great asset to guarantee the best raw material and the best supply and service in kitchens and in the production processes of the industry.

Specialisation in crops: the secret to growing and harvesting nuts

As nut suppliers of Grupo Importaco, at Itac Professional we work toward ensuring that our products meet the highest quality standards both in regard to their organoleptic properties and to their preservation and presentation. And we do this from the very moment we grow our peanuts and almonds, since it is the best way to control the entire process undergone by these food products.

An adequate cultivation is the first essential step to ensure that our products offer the highest guarantees when it comes to quality and sustainability. By making an efficient use of resources, we improve the profitability of our crops while obtaining the best raw materials.

We care for our products from the very start of the soil conditioning, the sowing and the flowering stage, and we apply cultivation techniques aimed at maintaining and optimising the natural resources. In this way, we abide by an optimal crop rotation to ensure the sustainability and good condition of the agricultural soils, and we guarantee a sustainable use of phytosanitary products across all phases of cultivation.

Another fundamental aspect is the care we put into harvesting it. In our almond fields we use the shaking technique, which allows almonds to be harvested without damaging the fruit or the tree, and subsequently, we remove the hull before starting the drying process.

Itac Professional is our B2B brand of nuts for the food industry

Specialisation in the manufacturing and packing process

The manufacturing of the different presentations of peanuts and almonds takes place in specialised processing and packing plants where diverse actions are performed. This is essential to be able to continue guaranteeing that the products we carry are quality nuts.

An example of this is our factory that specialises exclusively in almonds, which guarantees a “peanut free” handling and processing.

Hulling is the first process undergone by these food products after being harvested. Next, they undergo a product selection in order to detect any foreign object, such as small pebbles or other foreign matter that may have mixed with the almonds or peanuts.

Subsequently, the nuts are graded in order to divide the production into different sizes. This is essential so as to be able to pick the best option for each case and adapt to the needs of our clients at the moment of its implementation. Furthermore, depending on how they will be used, we also shell the almonds and peanuts.

Our nut offering for the industry also includes its preparation into different shapes and sizes. This includes chopping and dicing, transforming it into flours, pastes or sticks, and toasting. All of these industrial end products are essential ingredients in an assortment of food products.

You might be interested in: Get to know all the options for processed peanuts

Lastly, our products are packaged to arrive at our clients with the highest guarantees in regard to safety, hygiene and convenience

Specialisation in commercialisation

Adaptability and personalisation during the commercialisation stage is yet another crucial factor in offering the food industry solutions that meet its expectations.

In order to guarantee that the nuts that leave our facilities are of the highest quality, we have the most stringent food safety certifications and we implement an assortment of painstaking controls throughout the entire process, from the harvesting of the product to its delivery to the client. Among these, we could mention those that take place before purchasing from the grower and those that are performed between the various processes and before the final delivery to the client.

Our specialisation allows us to offer integral advice to our clients, sharing our know-how and information that is always up-to-date. In addition, this experience allows us to develop concepts and solutions for other manufacturers, leveraging the dedicated efforts of our R&D department.

As nut suppliers with years of experience in the sector, at Itac Professional we have all the technological resources you may need and a highly experienced, highly specialised staff. This know-how allows us to offer the highest guarantees in relation to products such as almonds and peanuts when it comes to processing them and offering them to our clients in the most suitable format.

Having total control over the traceability of our products from their cultivation all the way to the final delivery ensures that our products are safe and of the highest quality – a key aspect when appealing to the best product development departments, and in particular, the end customers who will enjoy them as part of their many recipes.

ALMOND CATALOGUE

Our entire collection of whole and processed almonds.

The post Specialising in almonds and peanuts, from the source all the way to the customer appeared first on Importaco Poland.

Hallmarks of Importaco Terra

Working towards a more sustainable supply chain management model has allowed Importaco to continue advancing towards a Total Quality System, implementing a thorough food safety control system all the way from the field to the delivery of the final product. Only this way is it possible to offer end consumers products that are safer and of higher quality, while at the same time having a firm commitment with rural development through the purchase of national products.

In the words of Francisco Pons, former President of Importaco, during the public presentation of Importaco Terra: “a responsible supply chain management and the coordination of the departments with the client allows for a high level of service quality”. He further stated, “The profitability of the entire chain is assured by attaining the maximum efficiency and the integration of the entire value chain”.

The most important achievements of Importaco Terra during the last few years include:

1. Reducing the water footprint: Protecting water resources and guaranteeing an efficient use.

2. Energy efficiency, through the installation of a solar photovoltaic plant as part of the exploitation, which generates the necessary energy for the irrigation pumps of the entire property.

3. Integrated Production Models, with an agricultural production system that implements practices that are in line with the protection of natural resources and the preservation of the soil and landscape.

Almond cultivation information and chronology of this project

2015: First sowing

It begun with 22,300 trees in more than 60 hectares.

Cultivation area expansion and first almond harvest

Between 2015 and 2019, the area first grew to 80 hectares, and later to 150 hectares, making use of fields in Montijo (Badajoz) and Vidigueira (Portugal). The first almond harvest took place in autumn of 2019.

June 2020: notable growth in the almond growth area

On this date, Importaco Terra started sowing its third almond field, reaching a total sown area of 550 hectares.

Other Importaco projects linked to the field, the soil management and the Spanish almond

Projects for the protection of bees in the cultivation of almonds

As pollinating insects, Bees play a key role in the cultivation of almonds. As part of its agricultural integration plans, Importaco trains farmers to abide by agricultural practices that respect the indigenous fauna, such as the responsible use of phytosanitary products and the protection of habitats in cultivated lands.

Projects related to the eradication of bitter almonds

Participation through Almendrave (Spanish Almond Board-Almendrave, Agrupación de Exportadores de Almendra y Avellana de España) in the “Detection and Eradication of Bitter Almond” Taskforce, which has the ultimate goal of detecting, eliminating and completely eradicating bitter almonds from the Spanish market.

Importaco has also joined Proalmendra, a society of nut farmers of the Valencia Community, to work together towards the elimination of bitter almond from plantations of Maestrazgo with the goal of eliminating 100% of these nuts by 2022.

Agricultural Integration Project

The goal of the Programa de Buenas Prácticas Agrícolas (Good Agricultural Practices Program) is to guarantee high standards of food safety, quality and sustainability in the cultivation of nuts. We offer the most efficient support for each case: from a direct involvement in cultivation projects to monitoring them. In this way, we adapt to the specific needs of both agriculture and the persons that work in this field.

The program includes products such as peanuts, sunflower seeds, almonds, corn and pumpkin seeds. In total there are 450 collaboration agreements with farmers, which are focused on turning consumer expectations into technical cultivation parameters. The profile of each crop is generated through on-site visits, determining the risks associated with the agricultural conditions of the plantation.

FActory specialised in almond and almond paste processing

Importaco’s almond factory has become one of the most specialised in the group by incorporating the processing of almond paste. This product has a nutritional profile that makes it a highly valuable ingredient for the food industry.

Do you want more information about Importaco Terra and our work as almond producers? Contact us or visit the following video.

Itac Professional is our B2B brand of nuts for the food industry

ALMOND CATALOGUE

Get to know the food trends driving innovation with these products and some innovative launches in the food industry.

The post Importaco Terra: towards a more sustainable and efficient almond cultivation appeared first on Importaco Poland.

As is the case at all our sites, at Importaco Poland we implement a sustainable and integrated supply chain, based on quality and food safety, to ensure maximum traceability of our products, from the field to the end consumer. ‘The right strategy, focused on clase product specialisation, is what determines the success and long-term development of a company”, says Toño Pons, Managing Director of Importaco.

Cross-cutting commitement to quality

Importaco Poland focuses on the quality and safety of products – total quality assurance with full traceability from the field to our client, managed by a sustainable and integrated supply chain.

Such activities are confirmed by constantly conducted customer audits and obtained certificates with the highest marks, such as BRC or IFS, and products with Kosher and Halal certification as well as SMETA 4P.

The latest consumer trends drive our activities in the area of ​​Innovation, which is one of the most important elements of market development in the long-term aspect. Our Development and Innovation Center constantly researches and analyzes consumer behavior around the world and develops the latest solutions focusing primarily on shaping new product forms, not forgetting about the quality and impact on consumer health (clean label products), as well as environmental impact (like zero waste).

Importaco Poland: much more than a factory

Importaco Poland specialises in the processing and distribution of nuts, dried fruits, peanut paste and chocolates for the Polish and European markets. As part of our international expansion strategy, in 2003 we acquired the Polish company DOMAT, which had been operating since 1990 as an importer of nuts and dried fruits.

In 2015, a new Importaco Poland site opened in Białe Błota, near Bydgoszcz. This factory is equipped with  the latest technology for processing peanuts, pistachios, cashew nuts and almonds.

We are currently focusing our activity in this country on two sales channels: the retail market and the food industry with the aim of increasing our share of the nut market in the entire Easten European region.

This award is a huge boost for our organisation in Poland, where we will continue to reinforce our commitment to quality and excellence in order to consolidate this recognition.

The post Importaco Poland ranked in Forbes Diamonds 2023 appeared first on Importaco Poland.