We launched Food Safety Solutions 14 years ago when we saw a need for knowledgeable, credible food safety consultants in Alberta.
As part of our work with the Food Safety Division of the Government of Alberta, we soon realized that it was difficult for many food manufacturing companies to find qualified local resources to help them understand food safety regulations or help them meet their customer’s food safety requirements.
Both founders had experience working in food safety roles in the food industry before moving into roles with the government, and we both knew firsthand just how difficult it could be to navigate the ever-changing regulatory landscape. We also knew how important it was to simplify complicated requirements from regulators and customers into practices that were workable and customized to the manufacturing operation. At this time, the food industry was also buzzing with the increasing demands from customers to comply with the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) food safety standards, which were not yet well established in North America. Having received auditing and training certifications in several of these GFSI standards, we were well poised to be able to help out on this front.
Starting out with just two clients, Food Safety Solutions Inc. was incorporated in April 2009. We worked tirelessly that first year to help one client achieve CFIA compliance with the federal Meat Inspection Regulations, and to create and implement programs that would allow their other client to successfully pass their first BRCGS audit!
Over the years, Food Safety Solutions (FSS) has grown and expanded to create an exceptional team of six full-time and two part-time consultants and auditors. Our team includes expertise and experience in almost all commodities of food manufacturing, as well as all steps in the food chain. We work with fruit and vegetable producers, food and beverage manufacturers, co-packers, importers and distributors, and even packaging material manufacturers. We’ve expanded our knowledge to include HACCP, GFSI food, storage and distribution and packaging standards, organic manufacturing standards, animal welfare, cannabis regulations, Natural Health Product regulations and food labelling requirements.
Our team is a diverse group of professionals coming from different industries and educational backgrounds. All of us are qualified, experienced and committed to helping clients build a strong culture of food safety in their operations. Working together helps us to create the best possible solutions for our clients. You can look forward to learning more about our different team members in future editions of this newsletter!
FSS has worked with hundreds of small and medium-sized food businesses to achieve their food safety goals and protect their brand to produce safe food for their customers. Food safety certification helps companies gain market access and meet regulatory requirements. Today we continue to focus on helping companies navigate the food safety landscape through food safety consulting, training and auditing activities.
We continue to carve out a niche for ourselves in the world of food safety in Western Canada. We have been fortunate enough to work on many different projects and develop partnerships with organizations such as AFPA, FAB MB, AFMA, Provision, Lethbridge College, NSF, SGS, SAI Global / Intertek and many others. We hope to use this newsletter to showcase some of our amazing clients and partners in the months to come.
Like most businesses; the 2020 pandemic impacted our company by creating an increased need to develop ways to work with clients remotely, while still achieving the same level of proven service. While working through these changes, we were also lucky enough to be able to access mentoring and training on digital business strategies through the AWE Bold Leadership program. This allowed us to improve our business processes and align our digital strategy across all platforms.
Throughout the process of our digital transformation, we spent a lot of time assessing all the different aspects of our business, and we reflected on the journey our company has taken over the past 14 years. To commemorate the ongoing transformation of the company, while acknowledging our original brand and the journey we have taken thus far, we worked with an amazing brand specialist (@sarahshultzcreative) to refresh and re-align with our values. The redesigned exclamation mark conveys the importance, urgency and priority of food safety, and the continuous line of the logo depicts the journey along the lifespan of a business and the guided path we work through with our valued clients.
We have learned so much over the past 14 years and look forward to transforming your compliance hurdles into food safety triumphs!
– Danni Kneeland and Jill Binder
