SALSA certification made simple at Charles Martell specialist cheesemakers
About the Business
Charles Martell & Son Ltd is a multi-award artisan cheese producer based in an idyllic setting on Hunts Court Farm in Gloucestershire and is one of the founder members of the Specialist Cheesemakers Association. They are well known for their speciality cheeses including Double Gloucester and the Single Gloucester cheese which achieved Protected Designation of Origin Status in 1997 and can only be made from milk from Old Gloucester Cows which graze on the farm.
Probably one of the best known (and smelly) cheeses in England is ‘Stinking Bishop’ named after its distinctive stinking aroma that starred in the ‘Wallace and Gromit and the Were-Rabbit’ film where the cheese was used to revive Wallace at a village event by holding it under his nose!!!
The Challenge
Charles decided that getting SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approval) approval could help his small local business in supplying his amazing cheeses to a much wider market but felt like he and his team needed some additional food safety expertise to do this.
He approached Food Safety Logic to support his business through the SALSA approval process to demonstrate that the cheeses they are producing are safe and legal. One of our consultants has expert knowledge in Cheesemaking and the SALSA standard so was the right person for the job to guide Charles and his team through the SALSA plus Cheese Standard accreditation.
“We cannot speak too highly of Food Safety Logic and their work assisting our business and staff with the SALSA Plus Cheese Audit.
We received help ensuring our procedures were up to date and all our records compliant whenever we needed assistance they were there”
The Benefits
Accreditations and certifications can help small businesses to elevate their profile and get their products stocked by larger retailers including supermarkets. Approval usually takes between 1 and 3 months and the business must be audited by a SALSA approved auditor. SALSA approved businesses must be members of SALSA and are audited annually to ensure that they retain their standards. The standards are reviewed and updated periodically inline with new legislation and good practice.
SALSA approval is recognised by a growing list of UK buyers and members can be listed in the online SALSA directory and use the SALSA logo. They offer an informative webinar to help businesses through the approval process which can be accessed through their website.
Food Safety Logic consultants have the expertise and knowledge to support small businesses like Charles Martell specialist cheese makers through the SALSA process. They can provide them with expert food safety advice and documentation as well as doing a pre audit to ensure that their formal SALSA audit is a stress free experience.
A cheese wheel
The Solution
Our food safety consultant reviewed all the existing procedures and documentation and then supported the business to update them to comply with the SALSA standard. This included producing a new operations manual that includes HACCP plans, management systems including traceability and micro testing and monitoring documents relating to the cheese production process onsite.
Regular visits were made to the production facility to check their progress with implementing new and updated procedures and embedding new paperwork or systems within the business. This ongoing support was vital to ensure that the team at Charles Martell specialist cheesemakers understood and were able to successfully implement the new SALSA requirements and successfully achieve their accreditation.
The Result
Charles Martell & Son received their SALSA approval and are going from strength to strength. The SALSA process has reinforced their food safety procedures and allowed them to increase production.
Food Safety Logic continues to support the business with their business advice package which includes quarterly audits and ongoing advice to ensure they continue to maintain food safety standards and are ready for their next annual SALSA audit.
Charles Martell & Son Ltd SALSA approval
