BENTONVILLE, Ark. – January 9, 2015 Walmart
de México y Centroamérica is
committed to providing the highest quality food to its customers, which is why
the company recently completed the Food SafetySystem Certification
or FSSC 22000 requirementsfor all 16 of its food processing facilities in Central
America. The FSSC 22000 is internationally
recognized by the GlobalFood Safety Initiative or GFSI, which is the gold standard for food safety certifications.
By undergoing this rigorous certification process, it demonstrates Walmart’s commitment to quality processes and continual improvement for its privately-owned facilities. Bernardo Marin, assistant director of enforcement for food security and responsible supply for Walmart in Central America, said, “We have asked that our suppliers achieve this certification, so we also wanted to obtain it for our Walmart-owned plants. Not only does this set a good example and strengthen supplier partnerships, but it was important for us to do it for the customer. We wanted to support the hard work of our associates and the quality of our products that we have been offering in stores for years. Obtaining this certification now verifies that.”
Walmart is the first Central
American retailer with vertically integrated manufacturing to achieve FSSC
certification. Fons Schmid, chairman of the Board of Stakeholders FSSC 22000,
said, “FSSC 22000 admires the leadership that Walmart has taken over the last
10 years in driving GFSI-based food safety certification in supply chains all
over the world. With the recent successful FSSC 22000 certification of its own
16 production facilities in Middle America Walmart clearly demonstrates the
value of extending GFSI-based food safety management system certification
in directly controlled food supply chain, to the benefit of its millions of
daily customers.”
The certification also has added benefits other than the main focus of
increasing food safety. Marin said, “Through the certification process, we were
able to find and take advantage of efficiencies in our factories, reduce the
amount of food waste and have an overall better trained staff.”
According to the Foundation for
Food Safety Certification, it generally takes six to nine months for a facility
to receive certification. “Accomplishing certification in all 16 plants that we
operate in Central America in less than a year is something we are very proud
of”, said Vice President of Food Safety at Walmart, Frank Yiannas. “The
collaboration, hard work and support of
everyone involved on the Central America team shows their conviction to the
company’s promise of providing safe and affordablefood
to all of our customers and associates.”
The FSSC 22000 certification is valid for three years, but
certified companies must undergo an annual surveillance audit to maintain
certification.
Walmart de
México y Centroamérica is
a company of the retail sector whose vision is contributing towards improving
the quality of life for families in Mexico and Central America. It serves 5
million customers in six countries where it operates: Costa Rica, El
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua.
It has a wide array of business formats including discount self-service stores
(Bodega Aurrera Express, Despensa Familiar and Pali),
supermarkets (Superama, Supertienda Paíz, La Despensa de Don
Juan, La Unión and Masxmenos), bodegas (Bodega Aurrera, Mi Bodega
Aurrera and Maxi Bodega), hypermarts (Walmart), membership warehouse
clubs (Sam’s Club and ClubCo), apparel stores (Suburbia) and
restaurants (Vips, El Portón and Ragazzi) that amounted 2,989
units at January 7, 2013. In 2012, Walmart de México y Centroamérica reported
sales over 413 billion pesos http://www.walmartmexicoycam.com.
Facebook: Walmart de México
y Centroamérica Twitter (@WalmartMXyCAM)