Pictured above: BHJ UK sales director Richard Parnell

Tipton based BHJ UK Protein Foods Limited has successfully renewed its BQAP accredited status for its natural DRINDE® range of functional proteins. 

Awarded by the European Food Safety Inspection Service (EFSIS), the accreditation reinforces BHJ's market leading position as the only producer to offer BQAP accredited DRINDE®, which also meets the Red Tractor Farm Assured criteria for manufacturers looking to offer 'Quality British Food'.  

Demand for BHJ's BQAP DRINDE® has tripled since becoming the first BQAP approved producer in its sector in 2007, with over 800 tonnes being sold per year. 

Made from 100 per cent British pork product, BQAP DRINDE® is a versatile functional meat ingredient which helps bind fat and water while delivering excellent textural properties and value in pork-based products. 

BHJ UK sales director Richard Parnell believes BQAP accreditation is more vital than ever before, with proposed new European regulations coming into force in 2011/12. 

He said: "For customers declaring the country of origin as British, it is critical they know they are getting a British product of an accredited and recognised standard.

"With proposed European regulations likely to become law over the next couple of years requiring manufacturers that use the country of origin labels on meat products to indicate where the animal came from, there is increasing consumer and retail pressure to use British sourced products.

"This brings increased demand on retailers and foodservice operators to provide this information and it will therefore become evermore common to see such declarations on products such as sausages, burgers etc.

"More importantly for our customers, where British is the declaration then BQAP DRINDE® meets the requirement 100 per cent.

"BQAP accreditation has significantly improved our offering in the industry, enabling us to provide more choice to customers and helping them meet the tough demands of retailers and consumers."

Businesses wishing to participate in the BQAP scheme must meet stringent standards covering the operational procedures and practices for pork and pork products, the production environment and distribution. Participating companies must also be able to show rigorous traceability of qualifying products and demonstrate that their operational procedures are supported by a Quality Management System which incorporates HACCP. 

The BQAP scheme is managed by the European Food Safety Inspection Service (EFSIS) and participating companies are required to have an annual and six-monthly surveillance inspection.