Major retailer to boost small producer scheme

The Safe and Local Supplier Approval (Salsa) scheme has been recognised by The Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services (Lacors) and is poised to win the support of another major retailer.

The developments have delivered a significant boost to Salsa's aim to establish itself as the UK's main entry level food safety certification scheme. They follow news that the Society of Food Hygiene and Technology was about to launch a scheme targeted at a similar market (see Food Manufacture p8 July 2009).

Lacors, which provides policy advice to local authority inspectors, and Salsa have agreed to exchange information with each other. Salsa is already being used by several major retailers and foodservice operators, including Asda, Sainsbury, Waitrose, Booths, Elior and 3663.

As Salsa's membership and income has grown it has also been able to add further resources and advice to its web site (www.salsafood.co.uk) to assist suppliers with obtaining compliance to the scheme. This has been assisted by funding from the Food Standards Agency.

Salsa, the not for profit scheme established in March 2007 to reassure retailers sourcing from small, local food producers, has 1,683 registered suppliers and expects to complete around 560 audits this year.

"The web site is aimed at small producers, so it's not too difficult and it's not too technical," said Salsa scheme director Chris Grimes. "It's also one of the reasons why companies such as Waitrose, Booths and Elior are keen for the scheme to develop: because they understand that their small producers need help rather than policing."

Under the agreement with Lacors, local inspectors are advised to recognise Salsa as part of their risk assessments of food manufacturing businesses.