Food producers in South Africa are legally obliged to ensure the safety and integrity of their products along the supply chain. This also applies to the critical phase of transport and storage, where food-grade bulk bags (FIBCs) are often used. However, it can be tricky to choose the best FIBCs and suppliers for your food products when there are many options available.
Custom Bulk Bags is a well-known manufacturer and supplier of food-grade FIBCs in South Africa. We produce up to 3.5 million bulk bags per year and our products can safely hold between 500kg and two tonnes of material per bag. We offer several UN-certified designs and attachments, making our products fully customisable to meet your needs.
We also pride ourselves on our quality control processes and manufacturing standards. As such, we are an ISO 9001-certified company through the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). There are three important factors to take into account when choosing the right food-grade bulk bags and suppliers.
1. Certification and adherence to food-grade standards
Regulations about food safety are strict for a reason; they shield customers from possible health hazards. The first thing to do is to make sure the food-grade FIBC manufacturer has the relevant certifications needed to ensure their products meet these standards. Look for a supplier with SABS, ISO and other internationally recognised certifications for quality control and manufacturing processes.
Certifications like ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 are clear indications that a FIBC manufacturer can meet your needs and ensure their bags are fit for use with food-grade materials and produce. Never be shy to ask a bulk bag producer if they have these certifications.
International certifications are very important, but you also need to take South African rules into account. In South Africa, food safety is regulated by the Department of Health (DoH), and part of their mandate is that food packaging materials – including FIBCs – must not compromise the safety or quality of the food they hold.
2. Quality control processes
Although certifications are an important verification, continuous quality control procedures are just as vital. Look for a FIBC producer that has an observably effective quality control system in place. This framework should include inspection of raw materials, like polypropylene resin, to ensure that it meets food-grade safety regulations.
The manufacturer should also have production line monitoring in place to spot and resolve any possible quality irregularities. A good supplier will also batch-test finished products to see if their characteristics like strength, cleanliness, and chemical transfer from the bag into the food are in line with industry standards.
Manufacturers of food-grade FIBCs with a good reputation will be open and honest about their quality control procedures. Look for suppliers that are prepared to disclose pertinent certificates upon request and that offer comprehensive information about their testing protocols.
Transparency is our top priority at Custom Bulk Bags, and we uphold an extensive quality control system that goes above and beyond industry norms. This guarantees that every food-grade FIBC we manufacture satisfies the highest standards of hygienic practices and safety.
3. Factory visits
Nothing can replace firsthand observation. Ask your manufacturer for a factory tour. During this visit, you can evaluate their hygiene, cleanliness, equipment maintenance and ability to meet your needs. Pay attention to how staff members handle food-grade bulk bags and how much instruction they receive on safety and hygiene practices.
Arranging a factory tour allows the manufacturer to highlight their commitment to quality control while also demonstrating its commitment to food safety. Factory visits are encouraged by Custom Bulk Bags as they help us establish open communication and trust with our customers.
Choosing a food-grade FIBC producer is more than simply buying a bag; it’s about forming a business alliance with an organisation that puts your food items’ safety and quality first. The three most important factors to prioritise when choosing a food-grade FIBC producer in South Africa are certification, quality control, and factory visits.
When you work with a trustworthy supplier, you can be sure that your food goods will be delivered in high-quality, food-safe FIBCs that enhance their overall safety and quality. For more information about our bulk bags or to get advice on the ideal design specifications, please contact us today.
___
Custom Bulk Bags is a leading South African manufacturer of woven polypropylene bags for various industries, such as mining, chemicals and food. We are able to produce over 3.5-million bulk bags per year, keeping our customers in stock at all times. Our bags adhere to the highest levels of quality as a result of our stringent in-house testing and quality control programmes.
Custom Bulk Bags holds ISO 9001 certification and we currently have a number of UN-certified designs. We are a Level 2 B-BBEE manufacturer and supplier and fall under the ownership structure of Deneb Investments Limited. For more information on our products, contact sales@custombulkbags.co.za. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram for our latest news and industry insights.
