About Food Safety 1 Malaysia Scheme (SK1M)

This food safety scheme is not new in Malaysia. However, the awareness and understanding of this scheme is quite low. Therefore, it prompted me to blog about this topic.

Food Safety 1Malaysia Scheme or better known as Skim Keselamatan 1 Malaysia (SK1M) has been announced since November 2010. The scheme act as the prerequisite for the halal certificate, or approved as a 1Malaysia Best product through a partnership between Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) as well as Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority(FAMA).

If we dissect the SK1M, it is basically consists of three types of schemes: Food Safety Inspection Scheme, GMP 1Malaysia Scheme (Good Manufacturing Practice) and HACCP 1Malaysia Scheme (Hazards Analysis and Critical Control Points).

The purpose of SK1M scheme is to facilitate the food industry in Malaysia to be recognized as the level of compliance with Food Hygiene Regulations 2009 gradually.
Recognition done by Ministry of Health (MOH) is free of charge. There will be Plant or site visit by the competent personnel from Ministry of Health (MOH) prior the issuance of certificate to the respective applicants to the scheme in ensuring the compliance to the established guidelines and checklists.

At the preliminary stage of scheme launching, it was not mandatory for respective food industries to obtain such certification. Nevertheless, in July 2011, MOH has decided to conduct SK1M inspection on each produces by Small & Medium Industry (SMI) start from 2014 in order to increase the food safety quality.

SMI food product samples are taken by officer (MOH) from the market at this moment. However after the enforcement of the scheme, sample will be taken directly from their factory or farm. Any Small & Medium Industry (SMI) including farmers who found to be violating the legal requirements for food safety shall be penalised under the Food Act 2006 and the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009.

Dilemma on on the right time to change current non compliance practices?
The time is now!
Take necessary actions now to ensure the assurance of food safety and most importantly, the sustainability of your own business!! The choice is yours!!

Further details:
http://fsq.moh.gov.my/v3/index.php?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&layout=category&task=category&id=43&Itemid=58
http://www.liowtionglai.com/blog/ViewComments.aspx?PostID=52d4e99b-3587-4520-8a6e-da73cabad07a
http://halalmedia.my/malaysia-introduces-food-security-scheme-as-halal-pre-requisite

A Simple Ten Steps Guide to the BRC Food Safety Standard Requirements

Article by Tony Connor

The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety publication has now become a leading global standard supported by major retailers throughout the world and adopted by over 8,000 food businesses in more than 80 countries.

As management systems standards go it is a well organised document, written in clear language and reasonably user friendly. However, at 82 pages long it can overwhelm the newcomer and it easy for one to get lost in the plethora of requirements.

The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety certification standard requirements are described in great detail in 7 sections throughout the standard. Some of the requirements may not be appropriate to all organisations; however the standard does stipulate 10 fundamental requirements without which certification cannot be achieved.

The 10 Fundamental requirements of BRC:

1. Management Commitment and Continuous Improvement Clause 1 – Senior management need to demonstrate commitment to meeting the requirements of the BRC standard by provision of sufficient resources, communication, review and taking actions to improve.

2. Food Safety Plan - Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points Clause 2 – A multi-disciplinary team need to develop a Food Safety Plan based on CODEX HACCP principles that is comprehensive, implemented and maintained. The plan should reference legislation, codes of practice and relevant industry guidelines.

3. Internal Audits Clause 3.5 – There needs to be an effective audit system to verify that the food safety quality management system and relevant procedures cover the requirements of the standard, are effective and complied with.

4. Corrective Action and Preventative Action Clause 3.8 – Procedures need to be in place to investigate, analyse and correct non-conformances critical to product legality, quality and safety.

5. Traceability Clause 3.9 – A system needs to be in place to trace finished products by lot number from raw materials throughout the process to end products and their distribution to the customer. The system should be such that this information can be retrieved within a reasonable timescale.

6. Layout, Product Flow and Segregation Clause 4.3.1 – Facilities and equipment need to be designed, constructed and maintained to prevent contamination of the product and comply with relevant legislation.

7. Housekeeping and Hygiene Clause 4.9 - Housekeeping and cleaning standards need to be maintained to achieve the appropriate hygiene standards and prevent the contamination of product.

8. Handling Requirements for Specific Materials – Materials containing Allergens and Identity Preserved Materials Clause 5.2 – Procedures need to be in place to control specific materials including allergens and identity preserved materials such that product legality, quality and safety is not affected.

9. Control of Operations Clause 6.1 – Procedures need to be in place to verify the effective operation of equipment and processes, in compliance with the food safety plan, so that product legality, quality and safety is assured.

10. Training Clause 7.1 – A system needs to be in place to demonstrate that personnel who can affect product legality, quality and/or safety are competent based on qualifications, training or work experience.

The above guide is not to be taken as a substitute for the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety as Certification cannot be achieved without holding a current copy of the publication. However, if you can begin to think of the 10 fundamental requirements as a foundation that the more detailed requirements are built upon perhaps then your implementation project will not appear quite so daunting.

St Nicholas home gets ISO award

Published by The Star on Sunday August 22,2010
GEORGE TOWN: The St Nicholas home for the visually impaired is among the first to receive the ISO 9001:2008 certificate for quality service system from the European Quality Assurance.

The home, located in Jalan Bagan Jermal here, was selected following its provision of training and services for the blind and visually impaired.

Its executive director Daniel Soon said the award would enable more donors to contribute to the home.

“We are proud of the award as it would prove that every sen donated will be used wisely and documented,” he said yesterday.

Soon said it took about three years to prepare for the ISO recognition and they expect to get another ISO accreditation for its administration by end of the year.

Penang Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh handed over the certificate to home chairman Rt Rev Andrew Phang See Yin. — Bernama

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/8/22/nation/6900809&sec=nation

Quality certified

Published by The Star on Sunday July 18, 2010
Masterskill Education Group was recently awarded the ISO 9001: 2008 certification by Moody Certification Malaysia.

The certification was awarded to Masterskill University College of Health Sciences (MUCH) in Cheras and its three associate campuses in Perak, Kelantan and Sabah under the scope of “Provision of Nursing and Allied Health Educational and Training Programmes.”

Masterskill’s group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Edmund Santhara said that the company constantly puts emphasis on improving the quality of its courses.

“In tandem with our mission to be the centre of excellence in producing quality professional human capital, we have been steadfast in our objectives which are to achieve a minimum of 85% student passing rate and an 80% total student satisfaction in line with an 80% excellent rating of lecturers,” he said.

Moody International (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd Certification Governing Council chairman Datuk Dr M Mohinder Singh said in his speech, “While the growth in education opportunities have made it easier for everyone to go to a university or college, the question foremost in many minds is whether standards will be maintained.

“This is where the need for quality accreditation comes in.”

At a press conference after the ceremony, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said that while it was good to get ISO certifications, the ministry would not make it compulsory for all higher education institutions to do so as they were autonomous bodies.

He also reminded Malaysians to not stereotype students based on the higher education institutions they attend, be it public or private.

“It is not right for people to label students based on the status of their higher education institutions, as they both have their pros and cons.”

He also suggested that the Malaysian Universities Sports Council (Masum) and Sports Council of Private Institutions (Masiswa) merge into one, as that would help to close the gap between the public and private institutions. — By ALYCIA LIM

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/18/education/6675268&sec=education

Calibration Bodies In Malaysia

Sendi Mahir Sdn Bhd
7, Jalan Batu Laut 28/5,

Taman Alam Megah,

40000 Shah Alam,

Selangor Darul Ehsan.
Contact: 03-5191-7388

Fax:03-5191-0675

Pyrometro Services (M) Sdn Bhd
No 19, Jalan U5/11 (PS), Seksyen U5 (Panasuria)
40150 Shah Alam,

Selangor Darul Ehsan
e-mail: hq@pyrometro.com

Contact: +603-5569 1648

Fax: +603-5569 1548

Segatec Sdn Bhd
Wisma Vitar, Lot 590, Jalan Batu Tiga Lama,
Kawasan Perindustrian Sugai Rasa, 41300 Klang

Contact : +603-3342 2022 Fax : +603-3342 2027

Sirim-Sime Technologies Sdn Bhd
Kompleks Sime Darby, Persiaran Kewajipan,

47600 Subang Jaya,
Selangor Darul Ehsan.

Contact: +603-5632 9066
Fax: +603-5632 9077

Metrology Science Centre Sdn Bhd

No. 33, Jalan Kota Raja, L27/L Section 27,

Hicom Town Centre,

40400 Shah Alam

Selangor Darul Ehsan
Contact : +603-5192 6672

Fax : +603-5192 7013

Schutter Far East Sdn Bhd

4203, 3rd Floor, Jalan Susur,

Persiaran Raja Muda Musa,

42000 Perlabuhan Klang

Selangor Darul Ehasn

Contact : +603-31662672

Fax : +603-5569 4201, +603-6157 1836

List Of Certification Bodies In Malaysia

MOODY INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION
(MALAYSIA) SDN BHD
Origin: United Kingdom

75, Jalan Jejaka Dua,
Taman Maluri, Cheras,
55100 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: 03-9283 9881
Fax: 03-9284 8187 / 03-9284 7426
Contact Person: Mr. Chin Miew Lim (012-302 3870)
Mr. Ady Low (012-302 3764)
Email: general@micertkl.com

BM TRADA (M) SDN BHD

Origin: United Kingdom

715, Block A, Kelana Centre Point,
No. 3, Jalan SS7/19, Kelana Jaya,
47301 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor Darul Ehsan

Tel: 03-7880 5623
Fax: 03-7880 5626

Contact person: Mr. Steven / Ms. June
Email: bmtrada@bmtrada.com.my /
bmtrada-kl@bmtrada.net
Website: http://www.bmtrada.com.my/

SIRIM QAS SDN BHD
Origin: Malaysia

Building 4, SIRIM Complex 1,
Persiaran Dato’ Menteri,
P.O. Box 7035, Section 2,
40911 Shah Alam,
Selangor Darul Ehsan

Tel: 03-5544 6000; Marketing: 03-5544 6400
Fax: 03-5510 9439; Marketing: 03-5544 6466

Contact: Mr. Loo (03-5544 5678)
Ms. Patricia (012-304 3203)
Mr. Suren (03-5544 6815)
(D/L: 03-5544 6439)
Email: skloo@sirim.my

qas_marketing@sirim.my


DNV AS SDN BHD
Origin: Netherlands

Level 24, The Weld Tower,
76, Jalan Raja Chulan,
50200 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-2050 2888
Fax: 03-2034 2886
Contact: Ms. Denise Lai,
Ms. Fera (Management Service)
En Syed Azizan Hashim (Lead Auditor)

TUV NORD (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD

Origin: German

Unit 703, Level 7,
Amcorp Tower, Amcorp Trade Centre,
No. 18, Persiaran Barat off Jalan Timur,
46050 Petaling Jaya
Selangor Darul Ehsan

Tel: 03-7957 2124
Fax: 03-7957 3500
Contact: Ms. Bee Ling
Email: malaysia@rwtucv.com


BVQI (M) SDN BHD
Origin: France

Level 11, Menara Dayabumi,
Jalan Hishamuddin,,
50550 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: 03-2267 2888
Fax: 03-2267 2889
Contact Person: Ms. Eva Soo (017-331 1262)
Mr. Nukie Liong (012-3793606)
Email: eva.soo@my.bureauveritas.com
nukie.liong@my.bureauveritas.com


SGS (M) SDN BHD
Origin: Switzerland

3rd Floor, Bangunan British American,
Jalan Semantan, Damansara Heights,
50490 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2095 9200
Fax: 03-2095 9611 / 2093 8202
Contact: Cik Nor Zaleha / Mr. Christopher Chin
Email: christopher.chin@sgs.com


LLOYD’S REGISTER QUALITY ASSURANCE SDN BHD

Origin: United Kingdom

Suite 21-04, Level 21,
Menara Tan & Tan,
207, Jalan Tun Razak,
50400 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-2161 7571
Fax: 03-2161 7606
Contact: Ms. Fiona Chong (012-323 5601)
Email: kuala.Lumpur@lr.org