February 11, 2010

Peruvian fishmeal producer receives IFFO certification

Tecnológica de Alimentos S.A. (TASA) of Peru is the first fishmeal producer to achieve certification under the new IFFO Global Standard for Responsible Supply.

The certification was awarded to the Callao Norte plant of TASA, the world's largest fishmeal producer.

Developed since early 2008, the programme was launched in October 2009 and had received applications from 15 manufacturing companies in four major producing countries, sourcing from 10 fisheries, according to IFFO Director General, Jonathan Shepherd.

Up to one-third of global fishmeal and fish oil production could be certified by the end of 2010, he said.

This business-to-business, independently-audited programme will enable IFFO members to demonstrate to their customers that they are offering pure marine ingredients manufactured from responsibly sourced and traceable raw materials. Whole fish used must come from fisheries managed under the key elements of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.

This programme is compatible with ISO 65:1996 (General requirements for bodies operating product certification systems) and with EN45011. The programme also recognises other certification programmes which have demonstrated equivalency and which are accepted within the industry - e.g. Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for the fishery certification element only.

The IFFO programme will continue to be developed in 2010 addressing further aspects of responsible supply.