Falmouth-based premium jerk seasoning and sauce manufacturer King Pepper Products Ltd. has achieved the prestigious Food Safety Systems Certification 22000 (FSSC 22000).
King Pepper manufactures the well known “Eaton’s” brand and is also a leading contract manufacturer for other brands.
SSC 22000 certification is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) which aims to drive continuous improvements to food safety management worldwide. Only about 18,000 firms internationally have achieved the certification.
King Pepper received support to prepare for the FSSC 22000 through the Jamaica Sauces & Spices project implemented by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), as part of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA II) Program.
“For us [King Pepper], FSSC 22000 seemed overwhelming and almost unattainable in terms of cost and perceived infrastructural deficiencies. With the support of the IFC through the EU program, we realized that we could do it by first working on the low-hanging fruits, and progressively advancing to implement all recommendations in a very practical way,” said Christine Wong, King Pepper’s Managing Director.
Already exporting for 30 years, King Pepper is now better poised to aggressively grow their export sales in the competitive category of seasonings and condiments as GFSI recognized food safety certification has almost become a prerequisite to doing business in the main overseas markets.
Founded in 1985 by Dudley Eaton, the company now boasts a range of over 20 different products which include jerk seasonings, pepper sauces, BBQ sauces, jams, chutneys, soy sauce, tomato ketchup and dry seasonings. Over 85 per cent of King Pepper’s sales is to export markets.
King Pepper proudly acknowledges the commitment of their team of employees and consulting firm, FB Food Safety and Quality Management Systems who guided the company through the implementation process.
