As provided for by law, food and feed safety systems are the basis for the operation of all the operating units of the company. Such systems assess the raw materials and all the steps of the production in light of the risks involved, and these are systematically minimised. All the products of the company are produced in accordance with these quality systems. All the operating units are subject to the official monitoring of the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (Matvælastofnun, MAST), which makes sure that laws and regulations are complied with. MAST’s monitoring operations are based on inspections, which in some cases are carried out without any notice.
In land-based units, these systems are based on international standards. The company’s operations in the production plants in Reykjavík and Vopnafjörður are certified in accordance with the IFS standard (International Featured Standard). This is an internationally recognised standard and one of the most used in the field of food safety. These main standards of food safety are co-ordinated under the banner of Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).
The proportion of the company’s products produced in operating units with certification from a third party with respect to international food safety standards was 77.5%.
| Place of work | Certification |
|---|---|
| Norðurgarður – fish processing plant | IFS foods |
| Vopnafjörður – fish processing plant | IFS foods |
| Vopnafjörður – Pelagic fish freezing plant | IFS foods |
| Akranes – Pelagic fish freezing plant* | |
| Freezer trawlers |
*The production of capelin roes is not included within the scope of certification, as the season is quite short and it is difficult for the inspection parties to examine the production.
The fish meal and oil plant in Akranes and in Vopnafjörður are certified according to the FEMAS standard (Feed Materials Assurance Scheme). The proportion of the company’s food products produced in operating units with certification from a third party with respect to international food safety standards was 100%.
| Place of work | Certification |
|---|---|
| Vopnafjörður – Fish meal and oil processing plant | FEMAS |
| Akranes – Fish meal and oil processing plant | FEMAS |
Official inspectors had one written comment to make as regards the labelling of the company’s tobiko products during the year, i.e. about the necessity of itemising the constituents of the Mirin-flavouring. The comment was not serious. There were no recalls during the year, neither due to labelling nor for other reasons. During the period covered by the report, there were no documented deviations from the company’s rules as regard the provision of information and labelling of the products of the company nor has the company been fined for such deviations.
HB Grandi’s fishing operations rely solely on wild stock, and the company’s products consist, in all cases, of pure and naturally healthy marine produce. The traceability of products is an important part of food production. The food and feed safety system of HB Grandi is based on being able to trace the product from its origins all the way to the customer. Detailed information on catches are recorded, such as fishing areas, fishing gear, the composition of the catch, volumes, etc. The origin of the raw materials being processed is recorded and linked to the finished product. In addition, all information on the end destination of all products is maintained. Thus, all products are traceable from the recipient back to the raw material. This traceability is tested on a regular basis by the company’s internal controls as well as by external audits of the systems of the company, including in audits relating to certifications of origin.
The products of the company are in all cases labelled in accordance with rules on the labelling of marine products. This means that it is always clear what species of fish and fishing area is involved, as well as what type of fishing gear was used. There were no recalls during the year, neither due to labelling nor for other reasons. During the period covered by the report, there were no documented deviations from the company’s rules as regard the provision of information and labelling of the products of the company nor has the company been fined for such deviations.
An assessment of customer satisfaction is an integral part of the certified quality systems of the company. The procedure provides for the assessment reaching customers representing at least 80% of the company’s turnover. This assessment is performed on a yearly basis and was last performed for 2018 in January 2019.
HB Grandi contributes to responsible fisheries through its respectful treatment of the resource that consists of the fish stocks around Iceland. The company complies with all the rules and directives that apply to its fishing operations and is not involved in any way in pirate fisheries (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing).
It is important to keep the ocean’s ecosystem in as good or better condition for future generations. The future of the company is based on this belief.
Fisheries management in Iceland is based on the Fisheries Management Act No. 116/2006. The management is based on the quota system applicable to the species on which limitations to fishing have been placed. This is in accordance with what the international community has defined as good fisheries management as considered by the FAO, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. The authorities, in consultation with stakeholders, work diligently on ensuring the sustainable use of the resource. Decisions are always based on scientific grounds, based on studies carried out by the Icelandic Marine Research Institute.
Fisheries management efforts in Icelandic waters are based on three fundamental methods:
In 2007, the declaration on Iceland’s responsible fishing was issued. It was signed by the Minister of Fisheries, the Managing Director of the Icelandic Marine Research Institute, the Director of Fisheries and the Chairman of the Directorate of Fisheries. The declaration was in response to market demands for the sustainable use of marine resources and was for the purpose of informing buyers about the manner in which the fisheries industry is managed in Iceland and that its management was based on the best scientific knowledge available. In addition, the declaration makes it clear that the Icelandic authorities undertake to comply with all international laws and agreements that they have signed regarding conduct with respect to marine resources. HB Grandi was a founding member of the private non-profit organisation Iceland Responsible Fisheries (Ábyrgar fiskveiðar), which was established in 2011. The object of the organisation is to own and manage the operation of trademarks relating to responsible fisheries, the preparation and maintenance of agreements for the certification of responsible fisheries, the dissemination of information on the Icelandic fisheries sector with particular focus on the buyers and consumers of Icelandic marine produce and other related tasks. The goal of the organisation is to promote and maintain responsible fisheries for the benefit of future generations.
| Certified according to IRF | Initial certification | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Cod | December 2010 | In effect |
| Pollock | October 2013 | In effect |
| Haddock | October 2013 | In effect |
| Golden redfish | May 2014 | In effect |
| Icelandic summer spawning herring | Undergoing certification process |
All of HB Grandi’s fishing from these stocks within the Icelandic economic zone falls under the certification of the stocks. The company’s operating units in Reykjavík and Vopnafjörður have, moreover, traceability certifications that confirm that the products produced are traceable from catch to customer (chain of custody).
HB Grandi is a shareholder in ISF (Icelandic Sustainable Fisheries), which was established in 2012 by companies involved in fisheries, production and the sale of Icelandic marine produce. The object of Iceland Sustainable Fisheries (ISF) is to obtain certification of fishing gear and fish stocks harvested in the waters around Iceland. ISF seeks certification from the standards of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), and the association’s shareholders have access to certifications for the species fished within the Icelandic economic zone.
All the operating units of the company have the traceability certification from MSC (chain of custody), which permits HB Grandi to sell products processed from MSC certified stocks as such.