Many of today’s food and beverage companies rely on contract manufacturers to produce their products. These companies are often well-established, household names with positive brand images to uphold and millions of customers to satisfy. Potential food safety incidents could not only be costly, but also damage brand reputation and put consumers’ health at risk. Brands must therefore be very discerning when choosing which contract facilities to work with.
During their search and qualification process, many companies will narrow their list to contract facilities that have effective safety and quality measures in place. This is where they depend on third-party organizations to set guidelines, perform audits, and award certifications to businesses that adhere to established safety standards.