Everything You Need to Know About the MeSTI Certification in Malaysia
If you want to start a food manufacturing company in Malaysia, you must acquire a MeSTI certification. MeSTI stands for Makanan Selamat Tanggunjawab Industri Certification, which translates to food sale is the responsibility of the industry in English.
The MeSTI certification is a fairly basic one that targets Smalls and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the food industry. The Ministry of Health made it a mandatory certification in 2012 for enterprises that don’t have other, more advanced certificates like the GMP and the HACCP.
This article will look at the elements of the MeSTI certification, the process of acquiring it, and the benefits that your business will enjoy by becoming MeSTI- certified. Finally, we will conclude the article by outlining the advantages of working with a certification consultancy firm to make the process smoother and faster.
What are the Pillars of the MeSTI Certification?
At its core, the MeSTI certification is about maintaining the highest standards in food production to enhance consumer protection. As such, factors like hygiene in food preparation and handling, proper maintenance of food production facilities, and careful packaging of food products matter greatly in obtaining this certification.
The elements that the Ministry of Health considers when assessing businesses for the MeSTI certification can be grouped into two major categories: control of the premises and control of operations.
The key factors that the ministry considers under the control of premises category include:
- The Design and Location of the Facilities
Under this factor, the auditor considers the suitability of your production facility as a food processing entity. In addition, they will look at the environment surrounding the facility, your facility’s layout, and the equipment you use for food preparation.
- Food Handlers
Your personnel needs to be properly trained and qualified in food preparation for your business to meet this standard. Additionally, they should demonstrate the ability to handle food hygienically. Moreover, they must be vaccinated against typhoid and free of contagious diseases.
- Training
Getting the MeSTI certification also requires that you provide evidence of training your staff continuously. This ensures that they will prepare food correctly, thus minimizing the likelihood of contamination.
- Maintenance and Sanitation
Finally, you must keep your facilities clean to obtain the MeSTI certification. The auditor will look at your floors, walls, ceiling, and other parts of the building to ensure that they meet the hygiene standards before granting you this certification.
Under the control of operations category, the ministry considers the following factors:
- Raw Material Control
Under this element, you must satisfy the auditor that you source and preserve your raw materials hygienically and health-consciously.
- Process Control
Here, you need to show the auditor that you have sufficient mechanisms to deal with physical, chemical, and microbiological hazards.
- Packaging Control
The assessor must be satisfied that your packaging process does not compromise food safety and that products will reach the consumers in good condition.
- Storage Control
Additionally, you must demonstrate to the auditor that your storage facilities are up to par and that you follow the right procedure in food storage.
- Transportation and Distribution Control
Food safety does not stop with production and storage. Transportation can also affect food safety a great deal. This is why you must satisfy the assessor that your transportation and distribution methods adhere to the highest food safety standards.
- Traceability Control
Finally, you must show the assessor proper traceability control in your facility. This usually requires meticulous record-keeping as well transparency in managing your business.
The MeSTI Certification Assessment Process
The MeSTI certification process can be classified into two main parts: the training and the actual audit. Every entity wishing to get MeSTI certification must first have its staff attend the Good Manufacturing Process workshop. Here, employees are trained on the standards they must meet in their food preparation process to obtain the MeSTI certification.
Upon training, the auditors will assess your premises to ensure that they meet the MeSTI standards. Often, they will use visuals of your entity to gauge its compliance with the MeSTI specifications. The best thing about this assessment is that it is an evidence-based process, making it fair and accurate.
If your facility meets the set criterion, you will promptly get your certification. If not, you get three months to rectify any issues before the auditor comes for a follow-up audit.
Even after you get the certification, the ministry officials will still conduct regular audits to ensure that you are still compliant with the MeSTI standards.
Overall, the MeSTI certification process is generally smooth and quick, given that this is a primary certification with minimal requirements. Usually, delays in the process are caused by companies submitting inaccurate details and records. Therefore, you can make the process easier by submitting the correct documents in good time.
The Benefits of Acquiring MeSTI Certification
Some of the benefits your company will enjoy by becoming MeSTI-certified include:
- You can sell your products in supermarkets and COOP1M and KR1M markets
- Consumers trust your goods since they know that they have been properly prepared, packaged, and distributed
- It enhances team efficiency because your staff gets trained in proper food handling
- You only sell safe foods with minimal likelihood of harming consumers.
Why Should You Work with a MeSTI Certification Consultancy Firm
Although you don’t have to pay anything to get the MeSTI certification, preparing for the audit is an expensive and demanding process. You, therefore, want to ensure that you get the certification after your first application.
Working with a certification firm is one of the best ways to improve your chances of becoming MeSTI certified. The company can help you identify gaps and weaknesses in your business that could lead to a denial of the certification. It will also suggest the steps you can take to rectify these errors.
Additionally, a consultancy firm can conduct mock MeSTI audits to give you a feel of the actual process. This further increases your chances of getting the certification upon your first application.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the MeSTI certification can be highly beneficial to your business. From allowing you to sell your products in supermarkets to making your brand trustworthy, a MeSTI certification can go a long way in boosting your sales.
If you wish to obtain this fundamental certificate, don’t hesitate to reach out to our consultancy firm. We will work with your organization to ensure that you get the application in the shortest time possible.
