Background
Black Mountains Smokery, based in South Wales, is a family run business owned by Jo and Jonathan Carthew.
The company source from British suppliers and traditionally cure and smoke foods which can be purchased online or within their shop which is located at the manufacturing site in Crickhowell.
Black Mountains Smokery products include award-winning smoked salmon, gourmet food gift hampers and traditionally smoked fish, meats, poultry and cheeses.
Support from ZERO2FIVE
The company contacted ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre as they needed help to review their Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point plan (HACCP).
ZERO2FIVE provided the company with four days of support, mentoring them to update their process flow diagram and helping them to review the operational conditions which underpin their HACCP such as personal hygiene, storage, equipment and food allergen control.
ZERO2FIVE also conducted a hazard analysis and risk assessment to determine the critical control points in Black Mountains Smokery’s manufacturing processes and supported them to set and monitor the critical limits needed to prevent food safety hazards.
Finally, ZERO2FIVE mentored the company in the processes required to validate their HACCP plan such as using data loggers to validate their cooking procedures.
Benefits of the support
Updating their HACCP plan has ensured Black Mountains Smokery have optimised their food safety processes so that they have a robust and legally compliant system. The company also now have the ability to update their plan in future without external support.
Equipped with the knowledge to validate their cooking processes, Black Mountains Smokery bought their own data loggers so they can monitor their procedures on an ongoing basis.
Jo Carthew, Co-Owner and Director of Black Mountains Smokery
“The one-on-one mentoring from ZERO2FIVE made working with them a very positive and proactive experience. The technologist brought calm objectivity and impartiality to the project along with expertise, pragmatism and good sense. We thank ZERO2FIVE for their help which was adapted to our specific company needs.”
