MPP unit of Lanxess audited to FSSC 22000 & EN ISO 22000 certification

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 08:00 IST 
Cologne

                  Lanxess’ Material Protection Products (MPP) business unit’s production facility, based in Krefeld-Uerdingen, Germany, has been audited to FSSC 22000 and EN ISO 22000 certifications by Frankfurt-based certifier Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Zertifizierung von Managementsystemen GmbH (DQS). Velcorin, the cold sterilisation agent, is manufactured by the company.The International Organisation for Standardisation’s ISO 22000 described the demands on a risk-based management system for quality and food safety. It combines ISO 9001, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Codex Alimentarius (a harmonised collection of international food standards).

The Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) 22000 is an internationally-valid and complete certification system for food safety management systems based on ISO 22000. It is a global standard under the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) for all companies in the entire food chain, from primary production to the end consumer.

It is also aimed at suppliers of non-food-products and service providers, including cleaning companies, producers of packaging materials, machinery and plant engineering companies, and producers of pesticides, fertilisers and animal health products.

In contrast to all other common quality standards in the food and feed sectors, FSSC 22000 has both global and sector-wide validity. Players and suppliers in all sectors can apply this comprehensive standard. It also contains the demands of HACCP.

Ingo Broda, head, Beverage Technologies business line, MPP, stated, “We regard certification as an important and strategic milestone. It confirms that we are a top-level player in the beverage and food industry and that we not only meet these international standards but – even more importantly – embody them fully.”

Dr Friedrich Koch, food safety officer, Velcorin, MPP, underlined, “Our products make a contribution to improving safety in the food chain. Complying with the standards ensure that no contamination with chemical or microbiological substances occurs. The goal is to protect the health of the consumers and increase the quality of the beverages, and, at the same time, ensure customer satisfaction.”

Safely filled

Cold sterilisation using Velcorin technology has become an established method of beverage stabilisation all over the world.

Prominent bodies such as the European Union’s (EU) Scientific Committee on Food, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States and the Joint Food and Agriculture Organisation and World Health Organisation (FAO/WHO) Expert Committee on Food Additives have declared the use of Velcorin to be harmless to health.

Velcorin is added during the production of the beverage. Even at low concentrations, the Lanxess product has an outstanding effect on typical micro-organisms. It penetrates their cells and deactivates their principal enzymes.

Following its addition to the beverage, Velcorin quickly breaks down into tiny amounts of methanol and carbon dioxide – natural components that are already present in many drinks, including fruit and vegetable juices and wine. As a result, Velcorin does not affect the beverages’ taste, smell or colour.