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Auckland, January 6, 2020
Auckland Council has received ISO 17020, the international standard for inspection organisations.
The Certification for Food Safety Verification will allow the Council to continue to provide services for food businesses operating within its jurisdiction.
Auckland Council is stated to be the first territorial authority in New Zealand to receive this Certification.
Staff competence assured
Licencing and Regulatory Compliance Principal Specialist Sharmila Narayan said that the accreditation will assure customers that the Council verifiers are competent and that effective systems and procedures are used to produce consistently reliable results.
“The Council can now provide verification services for food businesses registered under Custom Food Control Plans (Food Service and Retail), Template Food Control Plans and National Programmes,” she said.
Ms Narayan said that apart from the ability to work alongside new food businesses in Auckland and around New Zealand, the Certification will allow the Council to invest more on staff and on resources and strengthen existing relationships.
Foodco New Zealand General Manager Jon Hassall described the Certification as ‘a great achievement.’
Higher level of service
“We have worked closely with the Council for our Auckland based cafes and am therefore thrilled to strengthen this partnership across the country and offer our franchise business partners an even better level of service and accreditation,” he said.
Mr Hassall said that Auckland Council has assisted franchisees in store for Foodco’s brands, Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue and supported the Foodco office in rolling out its internal documentation based on their expertise in transitions through food safety legislation and conducting verifications.
“It is a great achievement and ensures effective systems and procedures are in place to ensure consistent verifications and support which can only further strengthen the relationship,” he said.
Regulatory Committee Chair Councillor Linda Cooper said, “Our Auckland community can be confident that the food standard rating is a bona fide qualification that they can trust.”
Source: Auckland Council
