SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following another major capital investment in facility renovation and upgrades, Oversea Casing Company LLC of Seattle WA has proudly become the first natural casing company in the United States to earn SQF Level 3 Certification. Level 3 takes the safety and quality of the natural casing products they produce and distribute to the highest level.
SQF (Safe Quality Food) is a HACCP based program recognized under the (GFSI) Global Food Safety Initiative. “More and more, producers these days are requiring food safety certifications and audits to ensure the wholesomeness of the foods and ingredients that they are selling,” said Michael Mayo, co-owner of the company. He said the company went through not only a physical change with facility upgrades, but a cultural change as well. “SQF is not a requirement for us. It’s a choice that we made to assure the safety and quality of our products. The investment required more than just upgrading the facility and filling out paperwork. It required a behavioral change from top to bottom. It’s everything. You have to be thinking food safety all the time.”
The commitment to reach a Level 3 rating included hiring Emily Hajec, a HACCP Certified SQF Practitioner as head of quality assurance. “Emily build this program from the ground up,” said Mayo. “We are not rushing to get product out the door, but focusing on the fact that it needs to meet our quality standards and a high food safety standard. It’s all about what the customer needs and the public demands to feel confident in the products they eat.”
Physical improvements included refurbished storage coolers, new shipping and receiving docks and numerous enhancements to the entire production facility.
For more than 80 years Oversea Casing has been an industry leader in the production and distribution of natural casings for sausage. Thanks to a strategic partnership with Superior Farms Lamb of Davis CA, Oversea Casing Company is the largest US owned processor of North American sheep and hog casings.
With a highly trained sales staff and in conjunction with Superior Farms, Oversea has qualified representation throughout N. America and beyond.
Oversea Casing Company has been family owned and operated for more than three generations and enjoys a strong working partnership with Superior Farms, which allows them to produce high quality consistent casings. More information is available at www.overseacasing.com or www.superiorfarms.com.
