KENYA – SimpliFine, a Kenyan integrated food producer offering locally sourced and manufactured food products across East Africa, has announced that its meat and prepared foods division has attained Food Safety System Certification 22000 (FSSC 22000).

The company launched its meat and prepared foods division in July 2021 and has over the past five months renovated its facility and implemented safe handling and processing standards.

FSSC certification is the result of investment to ensure that SimpliFine’s customers have access to high-quality, safe, affordable food products.

“SimpliFine places the highest level of importance on the safe production and handling of food and food-related products.

“By pursing and achieving FSSC 22000 certification, we are further demonstrating our deep commitment to food safety for our customers,” said Erick Ohomo, Business Manager for SimpliFine Meats.

FSSC 22000 provides a framework for certifying and auditing Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS), which meets the Global Food Safety Initiative’s (GFSI) Benchmarking Requirements – the highest food safety standards in the world aimed to ensure consumer safety.

SimpliFine’s President, Steven Carlyon, noted that with this accreditation of the meats division and their partnership with BigCold Storage and Logistics, SimplFine’s customers are assured of FSSC 22000-compliant food production, handling, storage and distribution.

BigCold is deemed to be the only FSSC 22000 certified company for cold storage and transport in East Africa that meets the strict food safety standards.

“I am proud of the leadership team and all of our colleagues in the meat and prepared foods division of SimpliFine.

“We are looking forward to serving quality Kenyan products – grown and produced in Kenya – to Kenya and the world,” said Steven.

Since its entry into the Kenyan market in April 2021, SimpliFine has expended to offer a range of 41 retail products including frozen meats, ready-to-cook meals and prepared meal accompaniments.

Further positioning itself as a main player in the convenience food segment, the food processor plans to launch its frozen French fries using Kenya-grown potatoes in February.

This follows the commissioning of its Individual Quick Freezing processing line in January, aimed to extend the shelf life of locally produced potatoes, thus expand the market for Kenyan farmers and reduce reliance on imported French fries.

The technology will ensure the company has products all year round despite the seasonal nature of the produce.

With this, it will take up space in the frozen foods aisle, currently dominated by foreign owned brands such as McCain, which are relatively expensive.

Other than operating the meat and prepared food division, Simplifine added to its portfolio baked goods after clinching iconic Ennsvalley Bakery from Unga Group.

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