March 15/Waukegan, Ill./Press Release -- Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, a supplier of vanilla extracts, vanilla products and pure flavors for food and beverage processing applications and private labeling, said it recently achieved certification to the Safe Quality Food (SQF) 2000 scheme. The Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI) oversees the SQF certification program, which is administered by the Food Marketing Institute, Arlington, Va. The program is recognized by retailers and foodservice providers around the world as a rigorous, credible food safety management system.

The SQF Program is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative and links primary production certification to food manufacturing, distribution and agent/broker management certification, Nielsen-Massey noted. SQF benefits from continual retailer feedback about consumer concerns. These benefits are passed on to SQF-certified suppliers, keeping them a step ahead.

“We are proud to receive the national safety recognition from the SQF 2000 certification program,” said Craig Nielsen, chief executive officer of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas. “Today’s consumers are more interested and educated about the food they eat than ever, and it’s important to maintain the highest safety and quality standards.”

Nielsen-Massey said it previously was audited annually by the American Institute of Baking, which gave the company Superior ratings each year since 1990. Inspections involved a thorough review and analysis of the manufacturing policies and procedures throughout the production facility.

 From the March 16, 2012, Prepared Foods' Daily News.