About SALSA
Developed by experienced food safety experts, SALSA is a robust and effective food safety certification scheme which is appropriate for smaller food producers and suppliers.
SALSA approval is only granted to suppliers who are able to demonstrate to an auditor that they are able to produce and supply safe and legal food and are committed to continually meeting the requirements of the SALSA standard.
SALSA is a non-profit making joint venture by The Food & Drink Federation, NFU and UK Hospitality, three of the main trade associations representing the UK Food Chain. The Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) monitors the delivery of the Scheme on behalf of the owner, SALSA Scheme Ltd, which is made up of representatives from these three trade associations. IFST also runs the professional register that verifies the competence of SALSA Auditors.
SALSA's Purpose: To provide affordable food safety certification and support for small and micro businesses in the United Kingdom.
Our Partners
SALSA is moderated by the
Our Values
To achieve our purpose, the following values lie at the heart of all SALSA's activities and thinking:
Safe Food First
Above all else, the SALSA scheme exists to encourage and assist small and micro businesses to implement practices and controls that produce food that is consistently safe.
Affordable
We aim to deliver services and solutions that are affordable and provide the best possible value to our members.
Supportive and Constructive
We pride ourselves on the supportive nature of the relationship we build with our members. Our aim is to support, encourage and help develop small businesses as they grow.
Practical and Relevant
Through our broad base of mentors we aim to provide clear, practical and relevant advice to businesses, not general or theoretical answers.
Not the sauce, not the dance - more’s the pity - but the SALSA annual audit! It’s a food safety assurance for UK small and micro businesses and provides a supplier certification that Holden Farm Dairy customers request and trust.
Becky Holden, Production Manager, Holden Farm Dairy
Suppliers are always requesting third-party certification, and SALSA seemed a good match for the size and scope of our business. Achieving approval has been a great, positive step for the business, it has given us confidence not only in our products but also in our operational standards, enabling the business to grow further.
Claire Burt, Director, Burt’s Cheese
Our SALSA certification ensures that we not only meet current food laws and standards but also exceed them. SALSA promotes an ‘enhanced’ approach to food management which means that we stay head and shoulders above the competition. Our customers can expect the best practices in food preparation and hygiene when they purchase a clootie dumpling from us.
Michelle Maddox, Founder & Owner Clootie McToot
Industry Specific Standards
The SALSA scheme has developed from the original Food & Drink Production audit to provide specific standards in association with leading industry associations.
SALSA Food & Drink Production
SALSA Food & Drink Production is a robust food safety Standard for small UK-based food and drink producers operating from a commercial kitchen. Our original Standard reflects both the legal requirements of producers and the enhanced expectations of professional buyers.
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SALSA Brokers, Storage & Distribution
Designed specifically for small and micro food and drink businesses based in the UK, the Brokers, Storage and Distribution (BSD) Standard is especially relevant to local wholesalers, fine food and speciality distributors, and UK food brands that outsource their manufacturing operations.
A dual audit is available for eligible businesses engaged in brokers, storage, and distribution operations and food production.
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SALSA plus Beer in association with Cask Marque
SALSA plus Beer has been developed in association with Cask Marque, to offer small and micro-sized brewers a Standard tailored to the scale and systems of their brewing operation. The Standard includes the SALSA Food and Drink Production audit plus an extensive module on brewing, created by SALSA and Cask Marque.
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SALSA plus Cheese in association with the Specialist Cheese Association
SALSA plus Cheese certification has been developed to offer small and micro cheesemakers a certification standard tailored to the scale and complexities of their operation. The Standard includes the SALSA Food and Drink Production audit plus an extensive module on cheesemaking, created by SALSA and The Specialist Cheesemakers Association.
*In order to be audited against SALSA plus Cheese, your business must have the most up to date copy of the Specialist Cheesemakers Association's Assured Code of Practice. It contains additional technical guidance and is free to SCA Members.
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Support from the Start
These programmes give new producers and suppliers the time and support to ensure food safety culture is at the forefront of their operation from the start.
SALSA Go!
SALSA Go! helps food and drink producers prepare for SALSA Approval in structured and supported steps. The package offers practical, one-to-one technical support, working directly with your business to ensure the successful implementation of the SALSA standard in preparation for SALSA Certification.
*SALSA Go! does not include an audit. SALSA Approval is only granted to businesses who subsequently purchase, undertake and pass an audit to the SALSA Standard.
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SALSA Package Extra!
The Extra! includes all the benefits of an Audit Membership plus one day's mentoring with a SALSA mentor. Ideal for businesses who need extra support before their Audit.
This is a cost-effective and time-efficient way to determine clear goals and establish the actions required to be audit ready.
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