IFS Broker and EU-Bio
Certified chain
Our KWS Food Ingredients team has earned IFS Broker and EU-Bio certification. This feat was made possible by collaboration between many departments.
With KWS Food Ingredients, KWS is contributing its experience in plant breeding to the world of food: The taste, texture and functionality of protein from our yellow peas are intended to be tailored to the requirements of food production from the very outset. “In order to bring our innovations to market, we’ve started producing protein isolate from these peas,” says Alexandra Molitor, Commercial Director Food Ingredients.
To achieve that, the team has brought together the entire value chain – from cultivation by farmers to milling, protein extraction and drying. The finished isolate is then made available to cooperation partners such as pea milk producer vly and, more recently, the food manufacturer Billie Green (press release).
KWS works with external service providers throughout the whole process. “And as a broker, as a linking element, we’re ultimately responsible for quality, food safety and traceability,” says Alexandra. However, as a seed producer, KWS previously lacked expertise in this area of food production. “To ensure that we’re aware of and comply with all important aspects of food safety and legal requirements, we decided to conduct a structured review of ourselves – both KWS and the KFI team.” Among other things, this involved setting up a documentation system, as traceability throughout the entire value chain is a key aspect.
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KWS as a broker in the value chain
Globally acknowledged and often required as proof
The process helped to establish a good system. And the team learned a lot about what needs to be done to ensure a safe product. A certificate is also “often required by the industry and customers as proof. With the certificate, we can demonstrate that we’re a reliable partner.” The team chose the IFS product quality and safety standard because it is known the world over and is acknowledged in the food industry.
The ambitious project was accomplished in just nine months with the audit in September – thanks to the great commitment of all those involved, often on top of their day-to-day business, as Alexandra emphasizes. “The interdisciplinary collaboration was truly exceptional.” Around 15 colleagues from various units were involved in the process: directly from the KFI team (Protein Production, Key Account Management, Research and Development) and also from departments that work directly with Food Ingredients. These include Logistics, Procurement, Legal, Quality Management and Regulatory Affairs. Project management support was given by Operational Excellence.
Almost at the same time, EU-Bio certification was also obtained in a second audit. “Our customers want local production, in some cases also in organic quality.” In order to meet their wishes, it was clear to the team that organic certification also had to be pursued right away.
Now that the audits have been completed successfully, Alexandra believes the team is well positioned. And the interdisciplinary collaboration is not stopping there: "With the certification, we’ve established a foundation with the necessary structures and processes. Now we need to build on them and put them into practice – together.” |
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