Quality & Food Safety

Introduction

In this module, we'll talk about our quality and food safety standards. At Saint-Albert, these standards are not just rules to follow - they're an essential part of our commitment to our customers.

Our Certifications

Our cheese factory complies with several rigorous standards:

HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) recognized establishment;

SQF (Safe Quality Food) certification by INTERTEK SAI;

Global Registration with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency;

and compliance with the Milk Act for operating a dairy plant.

These certifications require regular controls and audits by external organizations.

Controls at Milk Reception

Each milk delivery is tested before entering our factory:

Antibiotic test (any milk containing traces is rejected);

Measurement of acidity and temperature;

Evaluation of organoleptic properties (the smell and appearance)

Controls During Production

During manufacturing, we constantly monitor:

Temperatures at each step;

pH (acidity level);

Cheese moisture;

Salt content;

Processing times.

Our cheesemakers take samples at regular intervals to ensure everything is compliant.

Complete Traceability

Each batch of cheese receives a unique code that allows us to:

Trace exactly which farms the milk came from;

Know when it was made and by whom;

Track where it was distributed.

This traceability is essential in case of quality issues.

Microbiological Analyses

Our internal laboratory regularly performs tests to:

Verify the absence of pathogenic bacteria;

Control the quality of cultures used;

Ensure work surfaces are properly cleaned.

Allergens and Consumer Information

We are very transparent about allergens. All our cheeses contain milk, and it's clearly indicated on our packaging alongside all the nutritional information.

Conclusion

These quality control systems allow us to offer you cheeses that are not only delicious, but also safe. Our reputation has been built since 1894 on this trust, which is why we never compromise on quality and safety.

In the next module, we'll talk about answering customer questions.

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