A maltings firm is celebrating a set of perfect results after brewers carried out an audit of its Stowmarket plant.
Food and drink researchers Campden BRI looked at a number of key areas when it carried out the audit at Muntons.
The scientists were commissioned to carry out the work by members of the Independent Breweries Production Group (IBPG) as part of a series of audits of its key suppliers.
They looked at Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (or food handling), quality management, internal auditing, control of suppliers, traceability, product recall procedures, complaint handling, good manufacturing practice, process control, analytical services and training.
Muntons was awarded a 100% score in every area considered by the researchers. It is only the second time any company has achieved perfect marks.
The audit also looked at its ethical trading and sustainability practices.
The firm recently completed a successful SEDEX ethics audit and for its various ISO quality management systems for environment, energy monitoring and food safety and operational control.
Head of quality, food safety and environmental systems Dr Dave Mugglestone said: “We are proud of our comprehensive systematic approach to good manufacturing and this audit confirms that our performance is of the highest standard.”
Manufacturing and sustainability director Dr Nigel Davies said: “It is vitally important to us that our systems are seen to add value to our customers.
“When we get such a resounding endorsement of practices that sectors such as the Independent Breweries Production Group have identified as important it assures us that we are aligned with what industry requires of a modern food manufacturing company.”
Muntons plc is one of the top five maltings companies in the UK and the largest malted ingredients manufacturer in Europe.
It employs almost 300 staff across its two sites in Stowmarket and Bridlington in Yorkshire and has been in business for more than 90 years.
All of its activities are covered by ISO9001:2008 quality assurance and ISO22000:2005 food safety.
n Muntons’ Bridlington mlatings has just taken delivery of its first load of organic barley.
It follows its certification for organic malt production from the Organic Food Federation.
The first truck load of malting barley, a variety called ‘Belgravia’, was sourced from R G King of Mains of Erdradour, Pitlochry in Scotland and once the intake tests showed that the quality of the grains was good, the barley was stored away from non-organic barley in preparation for malting. Before the end of the November, 160 tonnes of organic malting barley will be received and steeped at the maltings.
After the seven-day malting process, 138 tonnes of finished malt will come off the kilns ready to be barley despatched to customers early in the New Year.
This organic malt will eventually be used in the production of ales and distilling by brewers and distillers in the UK to supply organic beers and whisky to discerning customers across the globe.
Tim Wakeley, compliance manager at Muntons Bridlington maltings said: “This is a first for Muntons here in Yorkshire and we are pleased to now be in the position to make and sell organic malt to our customers. The market for organic products remains strong and we are proud to be able to add organic malt to the range of high quality products that we make at Bridlington.”
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