Chief executive officer Lester Jones (left )–speaks to deboning supervisor Dzawanda Matenhese in the AMP factory recently

Associated Meat Packers (AMP Group) has become the 11th Zimbabwean company to achieve the prestigious FSSC22000 certification this week.

The award recognises companies committed to continually improve the management and control of food safety within their operations.

It was granted after the meat company satisfied a team of international representatives who carried out an extensive audit of AMP Group’s processing factory to ensure that the requisite systems and requirements to eliminate and prevent food hazards are in place.

The audit was also meant to ensure food quality compliance to international best practice standards.

AMP Group chief executive officer Lester Jones was elated at the achievement and described it as a milestone achievement in the group’s pursuits for excellence.

He noted that the award was a result of teamwork.

“Receiving this award was a key milestone for the group.  It reinforces our commitment to provide our customers and consumers with quality meat that is processed from a factory that meets global safety, hygiene and quality requirements,” he said.

FSSC2200 incorporates ISO22000 of 2018 and ISO22002 of 2009 management systems with sector specific requisite programmes and additional FSSC2200 requirements.

It is recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), an organisation that oversees food safety measures and certification around the world.

Meeting GFSI benchmarking standards showcases the highest standards globally and leads to international food industry recognition and acceptance.

“The need for safe, affordable, quality products for the growing population of Zimbabwe is rising.

Customers and consumers are becoming more discerning and selective about how best to nourish their families.

“As a result of this FSSC22000 accreditation, the public can be assured that they are buying from a world class processing factory when they choose us and any one of our Texas Meats retail outlets,” added Mr Jones.

In addition to the commitment to provide safe, nutritious and nourishing food, the company’s ambition towards achieving continuous development has resulted in this distinguished accolade.

“The team has done a commendable job in putting the livelihoods of communities at the centre of our operational excellence strategy.  We look forward to growing from strength to strength,” concluded Mr Jones.

Associated Meat Packers (AMP Group) is a Zimbabwean company that is part of Innscor Africa Limited, which is one of Zimbabwe’s largest organisations with diversified interests in Zimbabwe and other African countries.

It was founded in 2003 as Associated Meat Packers and the business has over the years shown its continued commitment to consistently providing the highest quality protein (meat) to the Zimbabwean people.

The AMP processing factory located along Coventry Road in Harare has the capacity to cut and process over 75 herds per day  on a single shift.

In addition to the flagship AMP factory shop which is annexed to the processing factory, AMP Group supplies quality meat to the nation through its countrywide network of 43 strategically located Texas Meats, Texas Chicken and Texas Meat Market outlets.