Sweetener Supply is committed to providing our customers with safe and secure food ingredients.  If you have any questions, please contact us at 888-SUGAR-99.

In recent years, many food standards have been in use but they are not equivalent.  Certifications did not always have the same meanings and documentation.  The “Global Food Safety Initiative”, (GFSI) has “benchmarked” standards. Many major retailers worldwide agreed to reduce duplication in the supply chain through the common acceptance of any of the GFSI benchmarked schemes. Many other food service, retail and manufacturing companies have now joined this approach. This means that many suppliers are requesting a GFSI benchmarked scheme.

Why FSSC? As stated on the FSSC website, “The Food Safety Standard Certification (FSSC 22000) scheme is fully recognized and accepted by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and by the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA).  The FSSC 22000 certificate proves that the food safety systems of such organizations are in full compliance with all FSSC 22000 requirements. FSSC 22000:2010 is an International Standard developed for the certification of Food Safety Management Systems for food manufacturers. ”

How is Sweetener Supply (SSC) addressing certification?  SSC is in the process of transitioning from an AIB GMP 3^rd party audit system to adoption of GFSI through FSSC22000 at all of our facilities.  We have completed our initial GAP Analysis against this standard (conducted by Consulting for Food Safety) on March 1, 2012.  We have invested in new Enterprise Resource Management and ISO System software packages to help us improve customer service and quality efforts. We have launched several capital improvement projects at our facilities to enhance food safety.  Additionally, we have increased the personnel in our quality department adding a new Quality Manager, reporting to Jon Bodner, our Technical Director.

What is our timeline for certification?  We have implemented the requirements of FSSC 22000 and have submitted our application for audit to the Certifying Body.  We are currently waiting on the final audit completion (est. October 2012 for all facilities).

For additional information, please contact us directly or visit the FSSC website at www.fssc22000.com.

“The new manufacturing facility is reflective of Ridgeland Fiber’s rapid growth in the marketplace and is essential in our efforts to continue meeting and exceeding customer demand and expectations for Ridgeland products.  ” said Joe Gardella, President and Chief Executive Officer at Sweetener Supply.

Elkhorn, Wisconsin, the county seat for Walworth County, is a fast-growing community with a population of over 9,000.  The plant is expected to employ up to 25 full time positions within the first three years of operation.  The new facility will be located at 1080 Proctor Drive, Elkhorn, Wisconsin and is projected to be operational before December 31, 2012.

About Sweetener Supply:

Established in 1990, Sweetener Supply Corporation is a privately held company specializing in manufacturing and distributing food ingredients to the food, beverage, baking, dairy, pet care and neutraceutical industries.  The Sweetener Supply family of products are widely recognized throughout the industry with names like:  Sur Sweet Invert Syrups, Ambersweet Liquid Sucrose, ClearSweet “Water White” Sucrose, Ultraclear “Cordial Grade” Sucrose, Delicious Golden Brown Sugar, Delicious Fine Granulated Sugar, Delicious Molasses, Delicious Honey, and Ridgeland Fibers.

For more information, visit Sweetener Supply at  www.sweetenersupply.com, www.powderedcellulose.com or phone 888-SUGAR-99.