Triton BV, Yerseke operates a TQM (Totally Quality Management) system
Our Total Quality Management (TQM) is based on management and employees participating in improving processes, products, services in all aspects of the company. This aims to ensure that processes are done right the first time, and there is less waste and greater customer satisfaction.
Since mussels are ‘live goods’, strict demands are set in terms or the quality of our product and its production process. The Rijksinstituut voor Visserijonderzoek (RIVO) regularly takes samples of the water in the Wadden Sea and the Oosterschelde and also samples of the mussels, to determine their quality. In addition the company’s quality control department carry out a complete suite of micro bacterial batch tests.
Triton BV are totally committed to maintaining the highest food safety and quality standards. Strict operational and quality procedures are enforced throughout the operation, ensuring that all products are produced, packed and dispatched with the greatest care and to the highest quality levels.
Triton BV’s Total Quality Management system is underpinned by the following 3rd party audited accreditations;
• IFS/ IFS Food: International Federation Standard
• MSC: Marine Stewardship Council
IFS Food: International Federation Standard
The IFS is a quality and safety standard published by the union of German supermarket chains, HDE (Hauptverband des Deutschen Einzelhandels). It has been adopted by the French equivalent, the FCD (Fédération des entreprises du Commerce et de la Distribution) and is supported by the Italian organisations, ANCC, ANCD and Federdistribuzione. Retailers include Aldi, Lidl and Metro.
The IFS Food standard is published by retail trade groups. Any company wishing to supply its food products to those retailers must meet the required standards. The retailers request that an independent third party approves the quality and food safety system of the supplier.
The IFS works with four so-called “knock-out criteria”:
• Control of critical control areas
• Involvement of management and employees
• The traceability of the product, raw materials and packaging material
• Execution of corrective measures
MSC: Marine Stewardship Council
When fish, crustacean or shellfish product carries the MSC quality label, this means that the fish was caught sustainably and the process it has undergone is entirely traceable. The MSC quality label is only allowed to be used if:
• The fish, crustacean or shellfish product originates from a fishery that is certified according to the MSC standard for sustainable fishery
• Every company in the chain between its catching and its final sales channel is certified according to the MSC traceability standard (“Chain of Custody”).
If the oceans are to remain healthy, productive and full of fish in the future we have to fish sustainably. The distinctive MSC eco label helps consumers to play their part by identifying for them seafood which is produced in a sustainable manner.
When is a fishery MSC-certified?
A team of independent scientists and experts assess the following:
• The sustainability of the fish stock
• The effects that the fishing has on nature – its environmental impact
• How well the fishery is managed
The assessment team writes a report about the fishery, which indicates whether it can receive certification. Similar to scientific articles, the report is assessed by two separate, independent researchers. Afterwards, there is the opportunity for other parties – nature organisations, for example – to contribute their views. The fish may only carry the MSC quality label if the fishery passes this assessment and the process between the fish being caught and being eaten is entirely traceable.
The fact that the Triton mussels are processed under the IFS and MSC certificate provides safeguards for retailers, wholesalers and consumers.
Bio-certified Triton mussels
Our bio-certified mussels are cultivated in Ireland and processed in Yerseke. Our mussels have been certified by SKAL. This is an independent organisation that supervises bio-organic products in the Netherlands. Having received this certification is proof that we meet all existing European regulations regarding bio-organic products.
