Case Study - Frigol: Find out how Frigol revolutionized its quality and food safety processes.

Case study

Renowned in the food sector, Frigol decided to take on significant challenges to improve its Food Quality and Safety. The need to meet the varied demands of national and international customers has driven the company to standardize procedures and raise its quality standards. This transformation path was marked by the achievement of HACCP, BRCGS START and BRCGS FOOD certifications, reflecting not only an operational change, but a cultural evolution that has driven the company's growth and excellence.

The challenge

Frigol's business scenario was marked by a complex challenge: meeting the multiple demands of clients, both national and international. The growing demand for specific procedures for different clients generated the constant need to create new processes and protocols. This diversity of requirements not only consumed valuable company resources, but also made the management of procedures extremely challenging.

Faced with this complexity, Frigol recognized the importance of adopting an internationally recognized and standardized approach to Food Quality and Safety. The need for certification by a Food Quality and Safety Standard was highlighted as a way to standardize procedures, optimize time efficiency and, at the same time, ensure compliance with stringent customer requirements.

The process

Grupo Frigol's decision to seek certification for its business units was based on a carefully planned strategy. By defining a three-stage certification plan - HACCP, BRCGS START and BRCGS FOOD - the company committed itself to improving its Food Quality and Safety in a gradual and consistent manner. A valuable addition was the certification of the Animal Welfare protocol at the Lençóis Paulista/SP unit.

Faced with the aspiration to obtain certifications in line with internationally recognized standards, QIMA/WQS emerged as a natural choice. The decision to collaborate with QIMA/WQS was motivated by the company's in-depth technical knowledge and vast experience in the field of Food Quality and Safety. With comprehensive expertise in inspections, testing, audits and compliance solutions, Grupo Frigol felt confident in being empowered by a certifier that ensures the excellence of its products at every stage of production.

Evaluation and implementation

The implementation of the BRCGS FOOD Standard in the Frigol Group was an ambitious but necessary step to raise the standards of Food Quality and Safety. With the firm commitment of the global top management, the company allocated the necessary resources to begin this journey of transformation. A crucial step in this process was the presence of a consultant, whose experience and technical knowledge played a key role in developing the action plan.

In collaboration with the corporate technical staff, the consultant carried out an initial diagnosis of the Frigol Group's units. It became clear that the units were already effectively implementing and complying with regulatory requirements, prerequisite programs and hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) plans. However, there was a need to go further and implement a management system that covered broader aspects of Food Quality and Safety.

The next step involved implementing specific programs in accordance with the requirements of the BRCGS FOOD Standard. This included the implementation of food defense programs, such as the prevention of malicious contamination (Food Defense) and the prevention of adulteration of inputs (Food Fraud). In addition, a crucial focus was placed on developing a Food Quality and Safety culture, creating a deep awareness among employees of the importance of their roles in relation to the final product produced.

The process of evolving and maturing the new and existing procedures was gradual and involved the conscious participation of employees. This commitment has resulted in a satisfactory outcome, evidenced by the grades obtained in the certification audits. The Frigol Group's units have shown a consistent improvement in their performance, highlighted by the audit evaluations:

• UNIT LENÇÓIS PAULISTA/SP: 1st year: Grade A, 2nd year: Grade A
  
• ÁGUA AZUL DO NORTE/PA UNIT: 1st year: Grade AA, 2nd year: Grade AA
  
• SÃO FELIX DO XINGU/PA UNIT: 1st year: Grade A, 2nd year: Grade AA
  

These results are a testament to Frigol's commitment to achieving excellence, in line with the rigorous standards of the BRCGS FOOD standard. The assessment and implementation process not only raised the company's compliance, but also promoted a culture of continuous improvement and commitment to excellence throughout the organization.

Results achieved

The journey towards certification has been full of positive impacts that have turned Frigol into an inspiring example of excellence. The company is proud to point this out:

• Saving time and evolving processes - The implementation of a rigorous management system resulted in greater detection of non-conformities, which became an opportunity to efficiently resolve problems. The company adopted a proactive approach to tackling these issues, which led to a remarkable evolution of internal processes. As the system matured, Frigol saw an effective reduction in deviations, reflecting more effective and efficient management.
• Quality and safety culture - One of the most notable transformations has been the development of a solid Food Quality and Safety culture among employees. Awareness of the importance of their roles in the final production of food has grown substantially. Employees have come to understand that the products they produce are consumed by their own families, friends and even themselves. This has resulted in a more critical mindset in their activities, contributing to the fulfillment of the activities of the other members.
  
• Gradual achievement – The challenge faced by Frigol was overcome through the gradual achievement of HACCP, BRC START and, finally, the coveted BRCGS FOOD Standard certification. This success was achieved by structuring a dedicated and highly qualified technical team, as well as training support staff in all areas. The determination of senior management, both globally and in the units, played a key role in this process.
  
• Recognition - Currently, all three of the Frigol Group's beef plants are certified according to the BRCGS FOOD + HACCP Protocol. In addition, in 2022, the Lençóis Paulista/SP unit received certification under the Animal Welfare protocol, PAACO, a highly relevant issue in the animal protein sector. Obtaining these certifications not only raised internal standards, but also reduced the need for audits from second-party suppliers. The credibility conferred by the BRCGS FOOD Standard has brought confidence to the business and generated international visibility. The recommendation of the Standard by QIMA/WQS allowed the data of the Frigol units to be made available on an international online showcase, increasing business opportunities at national and international level and generating interest in its products from important clients.

The success of this journey has been firmly anchored in the structuring of a dedicated technical team, the development of a culture of quality and food safety, and the committed leadership of Grupo Frigol's top management. The result is a tangible and lasting transformation that positions the company at the forefront of the food sector, with unwavering standards of excellence.