Quality and Systems Certification in DELTA FOODS S.A.

DELTA FOODS S.A. knows that top product quality is the key to develop any business, which is why it implements the most advanced Quality Management Systems through its Quality Assurance Management Department (QAD) throughout all sectors of its activities. The main target and, at the same time, the commitment of the Quality Assurance Department is not only to uphold the high level of quality and safety that characterises all DELTA products, but also to continuously improve quality at all stages of the production process. In order to achieve this target daily, DELTA abides by and applies across the board the most stringent rules and specifications pertaining to the selection of raw materials, equipment, facilities, growth, production, quality control and distribution, as set out in European and National legislation. Taking this a step further, the Company, by developing its own know-how, applies additional standards that exceed the requirements and practices proposed by the appropriate authorities and bodies. At the same time, it systematically stays updated inscientific developments  and methods which are applied by well educated and experienced scientific personnel . The Company is evaluated, it controls all data and takes appropriate preventive and, if required, corrective actions which ensure effective quality management.

Compliance with international quality management standards

Success for DELTA means that throughout all its factory plants the Company’s philosophy -quality, safety, nutrition and living up to consumers’ and customers’ expectations- is completely in line with International Quality Management (EN ISO 9001 series) and food safety (EN ISO 22000) standards as well as Total Quality principles.

DELTA FOODS S.A. applies various quality systems in its plants, such as:

  • Food Safety Management System (ELOT ΕΝ ISO 22000)
  • Food Health and Safety System (Consolidated Standards for Inspection: Prerequisite and Food Safety Programs of AIB International)
  • BRC – Global Standards for Food Safety
  • Quality Management System (ELOT ΕΝ ISO 9001)
  • Occupational Health and Safety Management System (ELOT 1801)
  • Environmental management system (ΕLOT EN ISO 14001)

Implementation & compliance with strict quality assurance procedures

The Quality Assurance Department plays an important and crucial role in maintaining and continuously improving the high quality standards established by DELTA. The QAD:

  • Has a Legislation department that makes  sure that DELTA is always updated and  fully in line with European and national legislative and other requirements in the sectors of Food Quality and Safety, Environmental Management and Health and Safety at Work (HSW). This is accomplished in the following manner:It prepares and coordinates all necessary team work for the buildup of Risk Assessment Studies, carried out for any applied management system (Food Safety, Env. Mgt, Occupational H&S) that is incorporated in the factories processes.
    • by identifying and having access to these requirements in a reliable and timely manner
    • by organizing and classifying them
    • by informing the responsible departments of the Company in respect,  on the obligations arising from them
    • It carries out internal audits at all plants to verify the implementation of the Quality Management and Food Safety Systems [EN ISO 9001 and EN ISO 22000 (HACCP)] and the Environmental Management System and Occupational Health & Safety Management System. In this context, QMD also coordinates the application of food hygiene and product safety standards as well as the application of other standards, such as BRC, AIB Food Safety Std etc., at the company’s plants (according to each plant’s needs). More specifically, QMD is informed and in turn informs all involved parties on the requirements of the standards, monitors the implementation of such requirements through regular inspections and finally  coordinates the official audits by the bodies that audit and certify the factories. It is also responsible for identifying and implementing the  necessary corrective actions, always with the objective of the factories being in line and in compliance with the selected standards.
    • At the same time, it coordinates the Management Systems audits [ISO 9001, ISO 22000 (HACCP), ISO 14001, ΕLΟΤ 1801] at the plants by external bodies and presents the specific Systems representing all plant departments involved.
  • HACCP food safety system: this is a risk assessment study which includes identifying, assessing and controlling risks related to food safety (physical, microbiological, chemical, biological). It aims at prevention and ensuring the safety of produced foods, in accordance with the requirements of the ELOT EN 22000 standard and legislation with the ultimate goal of continuously improving food quality and safety.
  • Environmental Management System: it provides the framework for systematically identifying, assessing and managing the environmental aspects of the company’s activities, products and services, aiming at reducing its impact on the environment, compliance with requirements, continuous improvement and pollution prevention.

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  • Occupational Health and Safety Mgt System : it includes a systematic manner of identifying and assessing health and safety hazards at work and aims at ensuring that employees’ lives and physical and mental health are protected, reducing risks in company premises and improving overall performance.
  • It manages the quality contracts with vendors suppliers and carries out  food safety mgt system audits at the premises of raw materials and supplies vendors.
  • It  evaluates and monitors the achievement status of set quality targets defined by the company and related to quantifying, assessing and reviewing all operations involved in a product’s manufacture and control, including customer services. By monitoring these indicators the company identifies appropriate corrective action in order to ensure compliance with company’s strategy on DELTA products’ quality and safety.The Department owns holds a Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, the only such lab in a dairy company in Greece. This laboratory develops and applies innovative molecular microbiology methods at the industry’s plants with the aim of enhancing product microbiological safety. Moreover, product batches are analysed in minimal time, using state-of-the-art equipment, in order to identify microbiological discrepancies, reduce product losses from final product destructions and reduce consumer’s complaints. It rapidly identifies microorganisms down to the species level, thus creating a unique microorganisms  database and identifies insects using DNA technology. Moreover, tens of samples are analysed for the presence/absence of genetically modified organisms, ensuring that adequate controls are applied for the absence of GMOs throughout all stages, from animal feed to end product. The laboratory’s personnel participates in scientific programmes together with the University community, thus obtaining important expertise and  innovative techniquesfor the company which is transferred to the Quality Control personnel at the plants as well as to other employees through regular training. Great importance is placed on basic research generating new knowledge in the field of food science which is published in international scientific journals and is presented in Greek and international conferences.
    • It organises internal training programmes for factory personnel and DELTA Information Centre personnel on food quality, hygiene and safety issues and specifically Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Hygiene Practices (GHP), legislation, basic microbiology principles, environmental management,occupational health and safety .
    • It carries out  regular audits in  the internal traceability procedures, as well as recall simulations for end product batches to ensure that, at any point in time, we know the origin of the ingredients in each end product batch as well as the complete path of each item from the factory to the retail outlet shelf.
  • The QAD is responsible for operating the Nutritional Advisory Center.

The Nutritional Advisory Center was created in 2001 and is staffed by scientific personnel from the food expert community. Its aim is to establish two-way communication between the consumers, the market and DELTA. As of 2008, it is part of DELTA’s Quality Assurance Department.

The Nutritional Advisory Center can be contacted toll free at 800 11 99 800 or by email at ked@delta.gr (24 hour service) and is responsible for handling the following:

  • nutrition queries
  • promotions (competitions, offers, events, etc.)
  • market research
  • questions regarding  to DELTA products, the Company or the food industry
  • the Technology Brochure with useful information on DELTA and its production plants
  • DELTA site visits
  • Kindergarten visits / educational programmes

The DELTA FOODS S.A. systems have been developed by the employees themselves, which is why they are functional and are lively part of the company’s operations. They are part of our everyday work. They are dynamic and are controlled, assessed and developed according to the needs stemming from the creation of new products or procedures. At the same time, they create the conditions for research and development on structures, people and systems and foster good and harmonious cooperation with customers and vendors.