First of Global Food Safety Initiative focus days in Africa

At these one-day regional events, a selection of speakers from both global and local companies will share their experiences of managing food safety in their organisations within the GFSI framework. Delegates will receive a systematic introduction to the GFSI and learn about the benefits of adopting the GFSI approach.

The inuagural event will be held at the Hilton in Sandton on 11 September.

Ronel Burger, business unit head: Food Safety Initiative at CGCSA said the GFSI Focus Day will provide the South African food industry stakeholders with thorough background information on the principles behind the GFSI and will demonstrate examples of the benefits that working within the GFSI framework provides.

"It will also serve as a unique opportunity for networking and knowledge exchange with top food safety experts and decision makers from global companies, local South African food industry and government."

Programme

The GFSI Focus Day South Africa programme will have these questions answered:

• What is GFSI?
  
• What are the benefits of GFSI?
  
• What are the GFSI recognised schemes?
  
• What is the process to comply with GFSI's guidelines?
  
• Is it accessible to small producers and manufacturers?
  
• What is GFSI Global Markets Programme?
  
• How can we achieve: "Once certified, accepted everywhere"? What does it mean?
  
• How can GFSI help me boost my business?
  
• Are there any case studies highlighting the benefits of GFSI?

"Attendees at this event will get a complete introduction to the Global Food Safety Initiative - the principles behind it, an overview of certification and accreditation, information on the GFSI recognised schemes and insight on how even small businesses can implement the GFSI principles within their company," said Burger.

The GFSI will provide a great opportunity for small businesses to discover success stories and best practices from companies that have implemented the GFSI approach and learn from speakers who have in-depth experience of GFSI through years of collaboration with the initiative.

Gwarega Mangozhe, CEO at CGCSA, said the event will also see the launch of a Global Markets Capacity Building Program (GMCBP) to assist food suppliers achieve certification, reduce inefficiencies in the food system and assist with embedding a food safety culture.

"Although designed for the entire industry, the GMCBP will target SMMEs who do not have the know-how and/or the necessary resources to invest in immediate certification and assist them in achieving certification by means of a continuous improvement process."

Speakers

• Ali Badarneh, industrial development officer, trade capacity building branch, UNIDO
  
• Cristina Martins, business development manager, food and beverage, DNV Business Assurance
  
• Frank Yiannas, VP of food safety, Wal-Mart
  
• Gareth Ackerman, chairman, Pick n Pay Stores & co-chair of the Consumer Goods Forum
  
• Gwarega Mangozhe, CEO, CGCSA
  
• Dr Lucia Anelich, consultant in food safety, food microbiology & food safety management systems Anelich Consulting
  
• Martin Vowles, manager of quality in the southern central & western Africa regions for Mondelez International
  
• Neil Marshall, global director, quality & food safety, Coca-Cola Company
  
• Ronel Burger, head: food safety initiative at the CGCSA
  
• Yves Rey, graduate of ENSAIA in Nancy, France

Attendees will also be exposed to local case studies highlighting the benefits of GFSI in the South African context.

For more information, go to http://sa-tcgffoodsafety.com/.