Making The Grade (Part 1): Crown Achieves SQF Certification

Consumers today are more educated about the food they’re providing their families and requiring more information about food quality. Customers expect more from their retailers and food service providers, who in turn expect more from their suppliers.

The Need for a Verifiable System

Heightened consumer demand for increased food safety assurances moves down the chain with retailers and service providers asking suppliers to provide verifiable proof that robust food safety control systems have been effectively implemented. These systems must have been properly validated and show evidence of continuous monitoring procedures. This is where the Safe Quality Food (SQF) Program comes in.

Administered by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), the SQF Management System is recognized by manufacturers and retailers worldwide. It is designed to provide organizations with a system to manage food and product safety by controlling a rigorous regimen of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Standard Operating Procedures.

Crown Achieves Level 2 Certification

Crown Aerosol Packaging North America announced earlier this year that we have certified to Safe Quality Food (SQF) Level 2 code at all five of our US aerosol plants. These plants, which currently manufacture aerosol containers for personal care and food brands, are located in Faribault, MN; Alsip, IL; Aurora, IL; Warrensburg, IL and Spartanburg, SC.

We began the certification process early in 2014 and spent the next 24 months going through extensive training modules in preparation for the final audits. By the end of Q4 2015, all five plants had achieved placement in the “Excellent” category with an average scope of 99%, making them the only aerosol plants in the U.S. with an SQF certification.

Serving Our Customers’ Needs

We are excited about our SQF certification and the opportunities it brings. Not only does it improve service for our current business, but it also prepares us for new customers who require this specific SQF certification level.

In Part 2 of this article, we speak to Doug McFadden, Director Aerosol Quality at Crown Aerosol Packaging North America to learn more about how Crown achieved SQF certification.