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We’re proud to announce that Essential Cuisine has once again achieved the highest grade, AA Accreditation, in our BRCGS announced audit. This marks another year of excellence in food safety, quality, and operational integrity, and we couldn’t be prouder of the team behind it.

The BRCGS standard for food safety is globally recognised and provides a well-established framework to manage product safety, integrity, legality and quality. 

A Culture of Pride and Dedication

Steve Doherty, Production Manager, summed it up perfectly:

“Achieving the highest grade is a true reflection of the dedication and hard work our factory team puts in every day. It’s a real morale booster, instilling pride across the team, and yes, it also earns them a well-deserved breakfast treat!”

This achievement is more than a certificate, it’s a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and pride our teams bring to every aspect of production.

The Guardians of Quality

James Hibbert our Quality Manager shared insight into the depth of work that goes into maintaining our BRCGS standards:

“Our site Quality team are the protectors and custodians of BRC. We’re the system defenders, internal auditors, data detectives, and educators, all working proactively to uphold BRC requirements.”

James highlighted key areas of their contribution:

- Audit Management: Representing the site during audits and providing evidence for every clause.
- HACCP Leadership: Developing and reviewing our food safety systems.
- Internal Auditing: Identifying and resolving issues before external audits.
- Document Control: Ensuring all procedures and records are current and accessible.
- Corrective Action Management: Investigating and preventing future non-conformities.

“BRCGS isn’t just a certificate, it’s a globally recognised mark of trust that reassures our customers about the safety and quality of the food we produce. It opens doors to new markets and helps protect our brand, by ensuring we meet the highest standards, every step of the way.”

Innovation backed by Quality

Dave Metcalf our R&D Manager explained how BRCGS supports creativity and innovation:

“Having BRC and associated systems ensures our product development meets customer expectations. Every project runs through our NPD launch procedure to guarantee safety, legality, and quality.”

He also emphasised the collaborative role of Quality Assurance:

“We work closely with the Quality team to approve suppliers, raw materials, packaging, and product specifications. Together, we develop detailed quality standards for each product to ensure consistency and excellence every time.”

This AA grade is not just a milestone, it’s a reflection of our values, our teamwork, and our commitment to excellence. Congratulations to everyone involved and thank you for everyone’s hard work!

Find out more about the product range here or request your free samples here.