Jan 10 2012 --- DairiConcepts' nine manufacturing facilities have achieved Food (SQF) 2000 - Level 3 Certification, the most comprehensive and highest attainable food safety assurance level within the SQF code.

DairiConcepts makes cheese and dairy-based ingredients for major companies in the global food industry. Its systematic approach to the certifications began in 2010 with the Level-3 certification of its Chili and Greenwood, Wis., hard Italian cheese-making facilities, and continued throughout 2011 to include its other plant locations in Bruce, Wis.; Dalbo, Minn.; Hummelstown, Pa.; Pollock, S.D.; Allerton, Iowa; Portales, N.M.; and El Dorado Springs, Mo., where a variety of cheese products and dairy-based powders and concentrated ingredients are made.

 With the Food Safety Modernization Act's focus on prevention of food safety problems and steadily increasing consumer attention on safe foods, companies in the industry now ask their suppliers for proof that robust food safety programs are in place at their factories. The SQF certification provides this validation. The program is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative, as well as retailers and foodservice providers around the world.

 "The SQF programs are a natural transition from the broad and effective safety and quality framework DairiConcepts has adhered to since its founding," said Brian Bonebright, senior vice president of operations at DairiConcepts. "With SQF, our commitment to food safety and quality is continually reinforced. The Level 3 certifications and their regularly-scheduled audits validate that DairiConcepts is absolutely committed to a comprehensive product quality system of the highest international and domestic standards in food safety."