Compliance Consultant Jennifer Young Leads Major Seafood Safety Implementation in Hawaii & Majuro

Honolulu, Hawaii, November 4, 2012 – Compliance Consultant Jennifer Young of Kung Fu Family LLC shifts focus from the Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification program implementation she is leading at Honolulu Hawaii-based Norpac Fisheries Export and travels to lead the same implementation at Marshall Islands Fishing Venture in Majuro. Ms. Young grew up in the major fishing epicenters of Honolulu and Louisiana. She has owned KFF LLC since 1995. The partnership with Norpac Fisheries Export began in 2009. She develops, leads, trains and implements over 40 key industry regulatory programs and requirements onsite, such as: Seafood HACCP, Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS), Pre-requisite Programs (PRPs), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), Regulatory Agency Compliance, Labeling & Nutrition and Audit Representation.

The SQF certification program is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and links primary production certification to the entire supply chain-sourcing, food manufacturing, distribution and brokers. The GFSIs board of directors is drawn from major global retailers, manufacturers and foodservice operators. Administered by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), SQF benefits from continual retailer feedback about consumer concerns.

Ms. Young commented, "I hear stories all the time. Twenty years ago, workers didn't wear gloves or temp the fish. Now, they cannot sell their fish to any major market unless a 3rd party auditor says they can-even when their government or the FDA says they are all clear. That is what makes this project of the highest importance."

The four original GFSI-benchmarked schemes were SQF, BRC, IFS (International Food Standard) and Dutch HACCP. An upside to the certification process is that a processor certified to a GFSI standard will be more prepared for FDA or USDA scrutiny, especially from the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

Ms. Young notes, "I'm excited clients are making the progressive changes. The industry's move to certified audit programs for food safety is being driven by consumer demand. They want assurance. In turn, wholesalers, retailers and processors are asking suppliers to provide verifiable proof that extensive food safety control systems have been effectively implemented." These are the exact benefits passed on to SQF or GFSI certified suppliers, keeping them a step ahead of their competitors. "The lack of SQF certified auditors and consultants locally leave the Islands at a disadvantage. We fill the void by offering our knowledge and advisement wherever possible," says Young.

Ms. Young notes, "Seafood is king. I was raised both in the islands and in the Gulf South. Fishing is the primary sustainable food resource for its people, its traditions, the economy and the culture. If processors lack the focus on food quality, it is a waste and disservice to our fisherman, the customers and consumers. The drive for sustainability and conservation is amazing, but after the catch, having a good product with poor handling wastes every effort. That is why quality management is my passion. It serves to ensure quality management all the way through the supply chain. That improves an organization's efficiency, bottom-line results, and customer satisfaction."

Kung Fu Family LLC is a management and compliance consulting firm in business since 1995. Currently based in Honolulu Hawaii, they offer strategic consulting on essential compliance programs related to food safety, HACCP, Food & Drug Administration (FDA), GFSI, food defense and provide consultation assessments for clients globally both in-house and remotely. For more information, contact 808-428-8510 or visit www.kffllc.com.