UPM Raflatac first label materials supplier to have U.S. factories certified to Food Safety Management standard
(UPM Raflatac, Mills River, NC, US, May 11, 2021 at 17:00 EET) – UPM Raflatac is pleased to announce that it is the first pressure-sensitive label materials manufacturer to have its factories in the United States certified to the ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management System standard. UPM Raflatac’s various management systems are certified and regularly audited by a third-party auditing company, confirming the company’s continuous effort to build a food safety culture into the DNA of its operations.
The factories in Mills River and Fletcher, North Carolina as well as Dixon, Illinois join the company’s five European factories and Changshu, China factory as certified to this standard, giving UPM Raflatac by far the largest collection of production facilities in the labelstock industry with certified food safety management systems. Additionally, the company’s slitting and distribution terminals throughout the Americas are aligned to this standard.
Food compliance management starts from raw material selection and the design of the products, to further covering the facilities and production processes as well as deliveries and market documentation. In the U.S., the responsibility rests with the food packer or brand owner to evaluate its packaging materials, ensure that they comply with the relevant regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and do not otherwise adulterate the food, and confirm that the materials are safe and technically suitable for their intended use.
UPM Raflatac’s food safety management team is available to work with converters and brand owners to discuss any relevant FDA regulations and take actions needed to adhere to the ISO 22000:2018 food safety standard. Product Safety and regulatory compliances, best in class hygiene practices such as rigorous pest controls, wearing protective clothing, and the prohibition of eating and drinking in the production area are just some of the many guidelines employees must follow as part of the standard. Internal audits to ensure day-to-day compliance are frequently conducted in between the third-party audits.
“As we have seen throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the safe handling of food packaging is of utmost concern for consumers. We are proud to have invested in equipping our factories and training our operators in this comprehensive ISO 22000:2018 food safety management standard. By being the first company in our industry to take this important step in the U.S., we are further demonstrating our commitment to labeling a smarter future,” says Seth Holling, Coordinator, Product Safety Development, Americas, UPM Raflatac.
The ISO 22000:2018 certificates for each U.S. factory will soon be available on UPM Raflatac’s website or by contacting its Food Safety Management team at americas.support@upmraflatac.com.
Click here for more information about UPM Raflatac’s food labeling solutions.
To download photos, including photos of UPM Raflatac’s U.S. factories, please click here.
For more information, please contact:
Scott Sowers
Senior Communications Specialist, UPM Raflatac
Mon-Fri 8.00-15.00 ET
tel. +1 828-275-7261
scott.sowers@upmraflatac.com
UPM Media Relations
Mon-Fri 9:00-16:00 EET
tel. +358 40 588 3284
media@upm.com
UPM Raflatac
UPM Raflatac is leading in sustainable labeling through our innovative self-adhesive label materials and services. We offer high-quality paper and film label stock for branding and promotion, informational labels, and labels with functionality. We operate a global network of factories, distribution terminals and sales offices. Our company employs around 3,000 people and made sales of EUR 1.6 billion (USD 1.9 billion) in 2020. UPM Raflatac is part of UPM. Find out how we are labeling a smarter future beyond fossils at www.upmraflatac.com.
Follow UPM Raflatac on Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram
