Sustainability, Kosher and Other Certifications
Our responsibility to sustain the environment begins with the responsible management of resources. At Acme, we are committed to minimize the impact of our actions to the environment by recycling waste, reducing packaging sizes, using recyclable materials, limiting use of water and energy, supporting local and distant communities, and ultimately working very close with our seafood suppliers to ensure that fishing practices are conducted in ways that help protect our environment and ecosystem.
MSC
The Marine Stewardship Council is a certification organization that works with fisheries, seafood companies, scientists, and conservation groups around the world to promote best environmental practices. Many of Acme's wild caught seafood is MSC certified.
ASC
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is an independent non-profit organization and labeling organization that establishes protocol on farmed seafood while ensuring sustainable aquaculture. The ASC provides sustainable and responsible aquaculture producers with a stringent certification and labeling scheme guaranteeing to consumers that the seafood they are purchasing is sustainable for the environment, and socially responsible.
BAP
This certification system ensures that aquaculture practices are followed using standards that are socially and environmentally responsible. The program combines site inspections and ample sampling with sanitary controls, therapeutic controls and traceability. Acme is committed to work with salmon suppliers that adhere to BAP standards.
All smoked fish products, with the exception of Smoked Sturgeon and Smoked Tuna Salad, are certified kosher by KOF-K. All herring products are certified Kosher by the Orthodox Union (OU).
KOF-K is an international organization that requires its certified producers to meet the highest standards of kosher food preparation. Only products and services meeting these stringent standards are permitted to display the KOF-K symbol.
Acme’s Quality Assurance Program and department maintains our Quality Standards and Certifications that are essential to provide our consumers with products of the highest standards. Acme is committed to quality and safety at every step of the production process. We focus on three pillars to ensure that food safety protocols are in place at all times. The pillars are as follows:
1. Leadership: We have staff members with scientific knowledge who address food safety issues and understand the challenges, from regulatory issues to raw material supply. Our team of scientists both in the US and Chile are dedicated to ensuring all of our products are safe and wholesome. In addition, many members of our team have been certified by the Cornell University / NY Sea Grand Seafood HAACP Alliance Program. HAACP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) is a systematic approach that identifies and prevents food safety hazards. Acme’s staff also spearheaded an industry guide for the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) that is a food safety manual on Listeria control.
2. Facility: Acme has built and maintained modern facilities that ensure safe production at every step. Food safety is a part of our daily operations and company culture, and our facilities in New York, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Florida, Denmark and Chile were designed to ensure safe production. We source and design our state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment with critical reviews for hygienic design. Our on-site laboratory supports rapid investigations and ongoing monitoring to ensure safe manufacturing equipment. And our teams excel in Global Food Safety Initiative audits, maintaining ‘AA’ ratings.
3. Raw material: By making a ready-to-eat smoked product, we rely upon sourcing high quality raw material and the best practices of our food safety program. By operating our own facility in Chile, we are able to manage quality during raw material processing, while ensuring the highest standards of food safety.
Global Food Safety Initiative Standards
The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Standards are a leading global safety and quality certification program used by suppliers and global retailers. The BRC Global Standard for food safety was the first in the world to be approved by the GFSI, encompassing all aspects of quality and safety as they pertain to food processing. Widely regarded as the benchmark for best practice in the food industry, BRC Certification is the latest example of Acme's elevated level of competence in HACCP, hygiene, food safety, and quality.
HACCP
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) is a systematic approach designed to identify and prevent food safety hazards. Since 1997, HACCP has been a requirement for the seafood industry. The FDA and the New York State conduct regular comprehensive audits to ensure that seafood companies are in compliance with HACCP regulations. Several Acme members of the Quality Assurance and Production Teams have been certified by the Cornell University/NY Sea Grant Seafood HACCP Alliance Program. Although not every employee is officially certified, almost every employee is internally trained on the critical elements of HACCP.