Scottish shellfish farmers gain major accreditation

Scottish shellfish farmers gain major accreditation - UK - Staff and shellfish farmers at the Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group (SSMG) are celebrating after the companys achievement in gaining Grade A European Food Safety Inspection Service (EFSIS) certification the highest achievable food standard available.

EFSIS, a third party independent inspection service, includes an audit of company premises, procedures and practices, to ascertain compliance with the expected EFSIS standard. Managing Director, Donny Gillies said: Achieving Grade A status has certainly given us a significant boost as well as allowing us to maintain our competitive edge.

Consumers are increasingly more aware of food standards and its important that we continue to provide the highest standards possible. Gillian Dickie, SSMGs Technical Manager added: We have also been able to make more effective use of our resources and operate in a more efficient and effective manner.

EFSIS has global recognition, and the achievement of a certificate with EFSIS is associated with the achievement of the highest standards. This achievement provides our customers with confidence that we are a company committed to operating to exacting standards. The announcement of Grade A status follows on from recent news that shellfish farmers in Shetland are benefiting from a 500K boost thanks to installation of new grading equipment at SSMG farm Blueshell Mussels.

SSMG is the UK's premier producer of finest quality shellfish, supplying most major supermarkets, such as Waitrose, Tesco, Morrisons, and Sainsbury as well as wholesalers and restaurants with mussels, oysters and scallops farmed from the crystal clear waters of sheltered sea lochs located along the full length of the West coast of Scotland and Shetland.

TheFishSite News Desk