Turn compliance into a marketable asset - Get with the programme!

15th September 2008

By now most wineries should have submitted their Wine Standards Management Plans (WSMP) to the New Zealand Food Safety Authority.

These plans have been developed by NZFSA in close consultation with the New Zealand wine industry with the objective of not being just another compliance exercise but to safeguard the wine industry.

This safeguard has been driven by international pressure and consumer demand wanting guarantees that traceability systems during the winemaking process are in place from the grapes growing on the vine, through to the winemaking and then the bottling process, to what ultimately ends up on-shelf for consumers to drink.

While most people accept that wine is in fact a relatively low risk product from a food safety perspective, in a worst case scenario of a food safety scare, either real or even perceived, the fallout could be devastating.  This could include significant impacts on trade with your wine buyers and consumers or indeed at the extreme end, with an entire country.
So what should the verification agency and the assessment do for your operation?

As much as anything, it should be viewed as one of a number of ongoing steps in a “continuous improvement" cycle.  A skilled assessor, while not able to consult, should be able to work with you and your team to not only identify areas in your WSMP’s that do not currently comply but assist in exploring various ways to improve the Plan: that is reflective of your unique situation.  This is in itself a skill that is acquired through having experience, technical backup and training.

So yes, the WSMP is about “compliance”, but why not turn it around and try and extract some value from it for your wines?  Remember what the intent of it all is - safeguarding your industry.  Look at the person and agency you select to do your verification. What can they bring to your winery?  Once your plan is established and verified what about considering it in your marketing mix?  It could underpin some of the requirements many offshore markets are looking for with regard to food safety and traceability.

At AsureQuality, the country’s leading provider of food safety and biosecurity assurance services we bring not only skilled assessors for the WSMP but backup of technical expertise in a number of other areas that can assist your operation.  For example laboratory testing, third party audits and training to international standards such as BRC - British Retail Consortium, ISO22000, SQF, Organics, IS09001 and ISO14001.

AsureQuality is also an approved audit body for Landcare’s carboNZero® programme. We also provide third party auditing for HACCP food safety programmes, and expert training in many of these related fields. 

Andrew Mill - AsureQuality Industry Manager, Horticulture.