Defiance, Iowa - Smitty Bee Honey continues to take their already highquality honey to new heights. The rapidly growing honey packer and producer was recently awarded the prestigious and difficult to attain Safe Quality Food (SQF) Level 3 certification, a level only a handful of companies worldwide have achieved. This achievement indicates a comprehensive implementation of food safety and quality management systems, further establishing Smitty Bee’s commitment to producing honey of the highest standard.
Smitty Bee completed the rigorous review process and obtained certification through the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI), requiring a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)based system. Recognized by retailers and foodservice providers around the world, the system and SQF seal will give buyers of Smitty Bee Honey assurance that food safety programs in accordance with HAACP are in place across all operations. Furthermore, it will continue to ensure that the company consistently delivers the high quality honey that it has become known for.
“This seal puts us in a category that not many of our competitors are in,” said General Manager Tony Schmitz. “Being able to place the SQF seal beside the Smitty Bee Honey name and upon our products makes us recognizable as a company committed to quality and safety, principles that are the foundation of our business.”
In addition to the recent SQF achievement, Smitty Bee added a new face to their team in November. Project Manager Geri Birks will assist the company with overseeing operations as well as provide management support. Birks brings both finance and marketing experience to Smitty Bee with a BSBA in Finance from Creighton University. Her previous work experience includes acting as a trading manager for an online brokerage and serving as operations manager for a full service brokerage.