Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands achieves food safety certification

Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands (KPSI), a local producer of virgin coconut oils and soap products, has recently achieved food safety certification to the internationally recognized HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) certification standard. It is only the second time that a company in Solomon Islands has achieved such certification and will allow KPSI to meet international standards for food safety and expand their export markets.

Reason to smile … KPSI managing director Bob Pollard, second left, and staff members celebrate the company’s HACCP certification. This achievement will allow KPSI to meet international standards for food safety and maintain export markets.

KPSI Managing Director Bob Pollard said, “Achieving this certification has been a real challenge, especially for our young team, it has been one of our key goals. We are very thankful to PHAMA for their support. This will support us in our export business, the real beneficiaries are the coconut farmers and we hope this will allow us to open new markets to sell more.”

The certification was supported by the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA) Program. PHAMA is an Australian Government initiative, co-funded by the New Zealand Government. PHAMA is also working with seven other local businesses who are working hard to undertake their HACCP certification audits around November this year. These businesses are involved in a range of food product industries including coconut, seafood, root crops and ngali nuts.

L-R: PHAMA Country Manager – Solomon Islands, Andrew Piper, PHAMA National Coordinator Samantha Maeke, KPSI HACCP Officer Adrian Smith Leafele, and KPSI managing director Bob Pollard.

PHAMA’s Country Manager in Solomon Islands, Andrew Piper, commented that “most companies are able to comply with the practical requirements for HACCP certification. The major challenges for local businesses are often the documentation and record-keeping requirements.” He added that “we hope several other businesses will also be able to achieve HACCP certification later this year”.

In order to compete in international markets, it is important for exporting businesses to be able to show overseas customers they meet recognised food safety standards such as HACCP. KPSI’s HACCP certification audit was conducted in May 2017 by international HACCP auditors AsureQuality. The full certification process took about 2 years starting with an initial gap assessment in 2016 that identified potential hazards and provided food safety recommendations that have since been implemented by KPSI.

KPSI sources virgin coconut oil from village producers and coconut farmers throughout Solomon Islands. This product is refined and packaged at KPSI’s factory at Lungga for sale as virgin coconut oil and cosmetic products to markets in Australia, New Zealand, America and Europe. KPSI currently exports about 200 metric tonnes of product per year and hopes to increase this trade in future.

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For further information, contact Andrew Piper at a.piper@phamaplus.com au or on +677 22365