KENYA – SimpliFine, a Kenyan integrated food producer offering locally sourced and manufactured food products across East Africa, has announced that its meat and prepared foods division has attained Food Safety System Certification 22000 (FSSC 22000). 

The company launched its meat and prepared foods division in July 2021 and has over the past five months renovated its facility and implemented safe handling and processing standards.

FSSC 22000 provides a framework for certifying and auditing Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS), which meets the Global Food Safety Initiative’s (GFSI) Benchmarking Requirements – the highest food safety standards in the world.

According to Erick Ohomo, Business Manager for SimpliFine Meats, FSSC 22000 delivers a framework for food safety management using best practices to ensure consumer safety. 

“SimpliFine places the highest level of importance on the safe production and handling of food and food-related products. By pursing and achieving FSSC 22000 certification, we are further demonstrating our deep commitment to food safety for our customers,” he said.

FSSC certification is the result of investment to ensure that SimpliFine’s customers have access to high-quality, safe, affordable food products, the company noted.

SimpliFine’s President, Steven Carlyon, noted that with this accreditation of the meats division of SimpliFine and their partnership with BigCold Storage and Logistics, SimplFine’s customers are assured of FSSC 22000-compliant food production, handling, storage and distribution.

“I am proud of the leadership team and all of our colleagues in the meat and prepared foods division of SimpliFine. We are looking forward to serving quality Kenyan products – grown and produced in Kenya – to Kenya and the world,” he said.

The move followed three acquisitions in 2021 by SimpliFine’s parent company, BlackIvy, a U.S. company that builds, operates, and scales businesses that drive long-term growth and resilient value in essential sectors: food, housing, healthcare, warehousing and logistics in Sub-Saharan Africa.

BlackIvy took over ownership of Ennsvalley Bakery, Alpha Fine Foods and a French fry production company based in Naivasha

Expansion steered by 2021 acquisitions

The acquisition of Alpha Fine Foods Ltd, an approved processor and exporter of Halal meat products, enabled it to expand its product range by introducing meat and vegetarian products.

The company now provides a range of 41 retail products including frozen meats, prepared meal accompaniments and a range of ready-to-cook prepared meals.

In January this year, the company invested in an Individual Quick Freezing (“IQF”) processing line, a move aimed at expanding its production of fresh French fries to offer frozen French fries.

This will increase the supply and extend the shelf life of locally produced potatoes, ultimately reducing dependence on imported French fries.

SimpliFine launched its French fry business in March 2021 and has built strong relationships with their local supplier farmers and customers.

It is set to introduce frozen French fries using locally grown potatoes in the course of the month.

Using advanced processing equipment and BigCold’s temperature-controlled supply chain, SimpliFine can serve regional and export customers seeking fine foods.

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