SALSA and Soil Association announce partnership

Safe and Local Supplier Approval (SALSA) and the Soil Association Certification have teamed up to launch a dual audit programme for small and micro producers in the UK.

The audit, which is due to start in November, will allow businesses to hold certification for both organic and food safety.

The Soil Association is one of the UK's leading organic certification bodies, with over 70% of the organic food and drink sector being accredited.

Lee Holdstock, trade relations officer at Soil Association Certification, said: "The organic market is in strong growth, but the consumer is changing too. What we term 'millennials' increasingly want to know about their food and our organic certification is well positioned to deliver the innovation, integrity of origin and reassurance this new consumer demands. The dual audit with SALSA will help make the certification process much simpler and easier for producers, providing more opportunities to strengthen their market profile."

SALSA focuses on small producers and offers a food safety certification scheme.

Sally Ball, SALSA scheme manager, said: "This new tie-in represents a significant milestone for both certification bodies and for our small producers. It allows members to reap the significant time and cost-saving rewards, whilst ensuring they are operating to a robust, recognised food safety standard. Approved businesses can confidently access a wider market, in particular supermarket chains and catering suppliers."

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