Share
As a food product distributor, you want to guarantee the food itself, as well as the poly bags and films it may come in contact with, are safe for your end-user.
To ensure this safety, there are a few common food safety certifications your distributor might hold. Today, we’re breaking each down and diving into why they’re important.
SQF Certification
The SQF (or Safe Quality Food) certification is a global set of standards for food safety around the world. Throughout the manufacturing process, a product is tested to guarantee it meets these strict guidelines. When compared to the FDA/USDA standards used in the United States, the SQF certification has stricter measures to follow.
At Versa Pak, each of our team members goes through continuous SQF training. We are audited annually to ensure we meet the SQF standards. In fact, Versa Pak has been designated as an excellent SQF-rated manufacturer and will be used to train new SQF auditors on what the ideal program should look like within a company.
See Versa Pak’s SQF Certification.
FDA Statement
Another certification your plastic packaging manufacturer should have is an FDA statement. FDA statements are a guarantee that the bags and films manufactured at the plant comply with FDA regulations in 21 CFR ss 177.1520, (c) (3.1a), subject to conditions of use and food type limitations described in the regulations.
At Versa Pak, we have an FDA statement on file that guarantees our polyethylene bags and films meet the FDA/USDA requirements. As with any purchase order that must meet certain food safety requirements, we will designate on the purchase order to use FDA-compliant resins and follow quality measures throughout the manufacturing process.
See Versa Pak’s FDA Statement.
Kosher Compliance and Certifications
Plastics manufacturers who hold a kosher certification guarantee that their manufactured resins contain no animal fat, meeting the guidelines of kosher dietary laws.
At Versa Pak, we hold a kosher compliance statement, and we are also certified annually through Buckeye Kosher™, a Columbus, Ohio, based company that provides kosher supervision for food establishments and manufacturers.
See Versa Pak’s Kosher Compliance Statement & Buckeye Kosher™ Certification.
Non-Allergen and RoHS Statements
In order to meet dietary guidelines, your plastic packaging manufacturer should also hold non-allergen and RoHS statements. Non-allergen statements guarantee resins do not include any of the following 18 major allergens:
- Peanuts
- Soybeans
- Milk
- Eggs
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Tree nuts
- Wheat
- Sesame seeds
- Mustard seeds
- Almonds
- Brazil nuts
- Cashews
- Hazelnuts
- Macadamia nuts
- Pecans
- Pine nuts
- Pistachios
- Walnuts
RoHS Statements indicate that the manufacturer’s residents do not add cadmium, chromium, lead or mercury, nor are those elements present during the resin manufacturing process. At Versa Pak, we hold both of these certifications.
See Versa Pak’s Non-Allergen Statement & RoHS Statement.
Interstate Milk Shippers
The Interstate Milk Shippers (IMS) single-service manufacturer certification is an online guide that lists manufacturers who have been certified by Milk Sanitation Rating Officers. To be included on this list, manufacturers must meet the requirements from the USPHS/FDA Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, achieving a Sanitation Compliance Rating of 90 or better.
Versa Pak has been certified as a partial plant listing on the IMS list. Like the SQF certification, our Celina, Ohio, manufacturing facility has to be regularly audited to ensure we meet the requirements.
See Versa Pak’s IMS Certification.
Learn More About Food-Grade Poly Bags and Films
“By meeting these regulatory requirements, we’re able to guarantee our products are able to go above and food safety standards,” says Versa Pak Sales Manager Jeff Knapke. “Our quality department is committed to ensuring that our products meet these rigorous requirements and more. Plus, they ensure our customers can know the quality of our products and process, even if they can’t make it to visit our plant.”
If you have any questions about Versa Pak’s certifications and compliance documents, please don’t hesitate to contact us at sales@versa-pak.com. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have. If you’re interested in a custom-manufactured food-grade polyethylene bag or film, simply fill out our request form!