The team´s entry demonstrated their determination to drive forward a continuous quality improvement process which involved improvements in methodologies and changes in factory processes.
Their work brought major benefits to the company in terms of food safety. A positive clearance system was introduced, which improved laboratory inspection processes and provided enhanced traceability. With no increase in staffing levels, the frequency of sample testing went up - creating a 200% increase in workload, a laboratory extension was built and commissioned with no disruption to workflow, and new and improved environmental monitoring practices were put in place, including training of maintenance, supply chain partners and contractors, who all now work to Cadbury GMP standards. All of these factors contributed to reductions in out of specification microbiological results over previous years.
“The commitment and dedication of the Cadbury Chirk team have had a significant food safety impact that was demonstrated by the facts and figures contained in their entry”, commented Cheryl Mooney, chairman of the judging panel. “The team has also raised its own morale and, through the enthusiasm and initiatives of its members, has raised morale and levels of food hygiene and safety within the production environment. We are delighted, therefore, to name them as the 2007/2008 Oxoid Food Safety Team of the Year.”
The second prize of £500 was awarded to the laboratory team at Fonterra Clandeboye, Timaru, New Zealand. The Fonterra Co-operative Group is a major producer of dairy products with 97% of products being exported, globally. The laboratory at Clandeboye is responsible for testing all products produced in the South Island manufacturing plants and, also, from external companies. During 2007/2008, the laboratory workload increased to receive samples from the North Island, as well. The judges were impressed by the way in which this laboratory had treated the increasing workload as a challenge and had restructured working practices and incorporated quality management principles to maximise effectiveness and increase productivity.
A Judges Special Award was made to Westward Laboratories, Callington, Cornwall, UK, previous winners of the Oxoid Food Safety Team of the Year Award, for their continued contribution to food safety. Amongst the recent initiatives undertaken by Westward, the judges cited the laboratory´s willingness to promote food safety issues to local community, by involvement with young farmers groups and local colleges, as being worthy of special recognition.
For more information about the Oxoid Awards, which are organised in conjunction with International Food Hygiene and the Institute of Brewing and Distilling, please visit
www.oxoid.com, or contact Fiona Macrae, Awards Manager contact details are at the top of this page) or talk to your local representative of Oxoid products.
