HB Grandi: Fantastic results in international quality accreditation

The results of HB Grandi's annual audit of its fish production have been received and the only verdict that can be given is that these are some excellent results. The audit is carried out according to International Food Standard (IFS) criteria and the audit carried out in January saw the company's fish processing plants in Reykjavik, Akranes and Vopnafjordur given a 98% rating, reports www.megafishnet.com with reference to HB Grandi.

IFS is the standard that the majority of European retailers have agreed is the one that will ensure that they are dealing with high-quality, hygienically-produced foodstuffs, along with standards of traceability, reliability of delivery and information on the foodstuffs in question. According to IFS, over 95% is a ‘higher level' rating, while between 75% and 95% is a ‘foundation level' rating. No company with less than 75% receives accreditation.

According to Bergur Einarsson, quality control manager in charge of HB Grandi's land-based production, the company's production in Reykjavík has been using IFS standards since 2006. The Akranes plant was first audited in 2010 and has been accredited for the last two years. The factory at Vopnafjördur was first audited last year, so this is its second audit.

‘At all three production plants the same cohesive quality handbook has been used. All of our staff have showed a great deal of enthusiasm for improving quality standards and have played a full role in introducing the IFS quality system. There has also been full co-operation between managers in all departments on quality issues, and all this is the basis for the fine results we have seen,' said Bergur Einarsson.

HB Grandi CEO Eggert Benedikt Gudmundsson is understandably delighted with the results of the audits and congratulated staff as follows:

Dear HB Grandi staff,

This is a fantastic result and the work behind it has been magnificent. It is fantastic to see how systems have been integrated and particularly satisfying to see how all three facilities have scored so well in this audit.

I would like to thank everyone who took part in preparing for this and who took part in the audits themselves. In reality, this reflects on the company as a whole as it is hardly possible to find a single aspect of our work anywhere that is not somehow linked to quality in one way or another.

Congratulations, everyone, and thanks for the fine work!
Best wishes, Eggert Benedikt.