HACCP Certification Adds Global Value To Malaysian Food Manufacturers
HACCP CERTIFICATION ADDS GLOBAL VALUE TO MALAYSIAN FOOD MANUFACTURERS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2015,KUALA LUMPUR: In effort to encourage more Malaysian food manufacturers obtain the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is collaborating with SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd and SME Bank to introduce the HACCP Certification Assistance Programme.
The joint-collaboration will see MATRADE providing financial assistance to companies in the application of the HACCP, SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd as the certifying body and SME Bank as the body to offer financing facilities for companies to upgrade or renovate their factories - a key requirement in HACCP. The pilot project is targeting at least 30 companies to be HACCP-certified within a 6-month period.
This collaboration will enhance Malaysian food manufacturers’ capability, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the global market. The initiative also helps to boost SMEs competitiveness and create greater market access for them.
HACCP is one of the available international food safety standards for food manufacturers complementing other international standards such as the GMP and Food Safety Management System (FSMS). All these standards are product assurances that ideally should be complied by manufacturers.
Complying with international standards such as HACCP increases Malaysian food manufacturers’ chances to venture into international markets. Standard certification provides assurances for international buyers and is highly sought after in affluent and high value markets such as the United States or Europe.
Compliance to HACCP certification has become crucial to food manufacturers especially to those who are exporting. The increasing consumers’ awareness around the world has resulted in a growing demand for high quality process standards, food safety benchmarks as well as approval and endorsement from regulatory or certifying bodies for food safety, such as HACCP, in their products of choice.
HACCP will not only ensure food safety, but improve food products’ marketability and heighten products acceptance globally too. Domestically, HACCP facilitates and expedites the issuance of Health Certificate by Ministry of Health.
Malaysia’s total exports between January to August 2015 were valued at RM498 billion. Of this amount, exports of processed food accounted for RM11.25 billion or 2.3 per cent share of Malaysia’s total exports. The top-10 export destinations for Malaysian processed food products between January to August 2015 were Singapore, Indonesia, China, Australia, Thailand, United States, Japan, the Philippines, Viet Nam and Hong Kong.
