Samoan food and beverage exporters pursue international certification

17 April 2016, 12:00AM

The Samoa Association of Manufacturers and Exporters (SAME) is taking measures to achieve and sustain internationally recognized standards for its food and beverage exports with support from the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA) Program. 

To succeed in international trade, food and beverage exporters must not only be competitive, but are increasingly required to adhere to strict food safety standards – namely through Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) and International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) certifications.

The PHAMA program is helping strengthen food safety capacity of SAME members by funding a HACCP training and certification program for SAME export companies. 

A training was held on Friday 8 April 2016 at the National University of Samoa (NUS) for SAME members, delivered by New Zealand based International Certification Limited (ICL). 

SAME President Tagaloa Eddie Wilson welcomed NUS staff, training participants and the media, before the Vice Chancellor of the NUS, Professor Fui Leapai Asofou Soo gave the keynote address.

“The National University of Samoa is pleased to partner with SAME and ICL  and be involved in this Food Safety Management Training which is part of SAME’s International Certification program.

The program will not only enhance the competitiveness of our food & beverage exports but also create international recognition, as being HACCP and ISO-Certified”.

Professor Asofou said since Samoa joined the WTO, the global market has opened up opportunities for our goods and services, but also it came with challenges in maintaining product competitiveness, gaining and maintaining international standards.

The President of SAME, Tagaloa Eddie Wilson, said, “Sixteen companies and private sector organizations have embarked on the HACCP International Certification program.

The HACCP training will include a broad spectrum of processors, manufacturers and exporters involved in the food and beverage industries, including those producing:- coconut and cocoa based products;  processed products such as nonu juice, coconut cream, palusami, chili, fruit juice, snack foods, beer, water, ice cream, soft drinks, processed meat products, and fresh & frozen taro.

SAME has partnered with the National University of Samoa (NUS) to provide long term Food Safety Management Training for its members as a step towards HACCP certification. The longer term plan is for NUS to assume responsibility for HACCP training for the private sector in Samoa.

17 April 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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