ASSOCIATIONS
and external audits are used to highlight any areas where they can improve their standards and implement higher levels to achieve even better safety of the product .
According to Charlesworth , using topclass access control , camera equipment , and temperature monitoring systems as well as an onsite maintenance team to look after the plant , they make sure that they maintain traceability and safety in all the products that they receive .
“ Traceability and safety are both vital to ensure we support the system to get healthy food products to South African families ,” says Charlesworth . Reefer Cold Storage takes care of some of the big South African and international brands and ensures that they take care of their customers ’ product from when it enters their premises until it leaves .
After conducting research and hearing about the importance of food safety from our members , GCCA established the GCCA Food Safety and Compliance Committee in 2020 . Larna Jodamus , Compliance Manager of CCS Logistics and Chair of the GCCA SA Food Safety and Compliance Committee says : “ The Food Safety & Compliance Committee has provided compliance professionals in the cold storage industry a platform to collaborate with fellow industry members to share information on SHEQ related matters , stay abreast with industry best practices , and to address common challenges imposed on the industry by the current regulatory environment . The forum ’ s primary objective for the year is to make its presence known in the industry to work with government agencies on regulations , and to improve food safety and compliance standards .”
The second committee meeting took place on 4 February 2021 with all committee members present and actively participating . In the weeks prior to the meeting a list of regulatory questions and challenges were compiled . The expertise of this group of individuals was evident as possible solutions and thoughts around this list was discussed . Committee members are working on survey questions and the Global Cold Chain Alliance will be sending a survey to the broader industry to gain intelligence and support in achieving their objectives .
The seven committee members that started serving their one-term on 1 August 2020 include Larna Jodamus , Compliance Manager of CCS Logistics , Verona Ramsook , Group Food Safety Manager of Etlin International , Phindile Ntshaba , SHEQ Executive of Vector Logistics , Colin Barker , Compliance Manager at Table Bay Cold Storage , Altie van Zyl , Compliance Manager at Cross Berth Cold Stores , Philippa Charlesworth ,
Admin & Compliance Manager at Reefer Cold Storage and Bomkazi Ndlebe , Compliance Officer at CCS Logistics . These seven leaders are commitment to help strengthen South Africa ’ s cold chain through food safety and compliance . Collectively , they will serve as the voice of the cold chain industry in South Africa .
The Global Cold Chain Alliance ( GCCA ) serves more than 1 300 companies in 85 countries , who in turn serve the food industry by providing third-party , temperature-controlled supply chain services . CLA
“ The GCCA-SA Food Safety & Compliance Committee has provided compliance professionals in the cold storage industry a platform to collaborate , stay abreast with industry best practices , and to address common challenges imposed on the industry by the current regulatory environment .”
18 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za COLD LINK AFRICA • March / April 2021