What are the benefits of Mesti Certification?

[David White]

Makanan Selamat Tanggungjawab Industri Makanan Selamat Tanggungjawab Industri (MeSTI) or "Food Safety is the responsibility of industry" is a food safety policy administered by the Ministry of Health (MOH).

The goal of MESTI is to set up a framework for the management of food safety and process management, including food hygiene compliance and product traceability, storage, delivery, and service of foods. MeSTI compliance would also function as a cornerstone for micro and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia to become a significant exporter of food items by enabling food safety standards implementation.

MESTI certification is fast and has an easier process than other global food safety standards certifications. However, this certification requirements should not be overlooked. If you are establishing a food company that offers its customers quality and taste at the same time and also targets the international market, the Mesti certificate is a must for you. And as this certificate grows, it will support you in accessing more comprehensive certificates, such as HACCP and GMP, and is compatible with the ISO 9001 system, making your job easier.

How is the implementation of Mesti Certification in Malaysia?

The MESTI certification is intended to offer a common and reliable framework for food producers and foodservice providers to fulfill certain world-class hygiene and food safety standards. Especially in the seafood and fisheries market, where the hygiene rules are more extreme, the certification of Mesti is prioritized before it has become common. Ministry of Health has been working with all agencies/parties interested in food chains

There is also a range of media ads to promote consumer and industry demand for the food items with the Mesti logo. Places such as food safety exhibitions, where visibility is so high, are used to show the importance of Mesti certification for food industries. Consumers are also advised and encouraged to purchase nutritional items with the 'Food Safety Protection Logo'.

What do we need to make Mesti certification more widespread?

We need to understand better the planning and execution of appropriate reporting and record keeping. There is still a shortage of local market and customer demand for food items with MESTI Certification.

More focus should be given to the management engagement and awareness of the application of MESTI. Because the introduction of MESTI is also a basis for authorities to review the company for additional food safety services such as HACCP and GMP approval.

There is also a need for more tactics to push consumer demand that they buy food from approved manufacturers, transporters, and retailers who enforce a food safety management system.

However, the current implementation of food safety programs such as Mesti but also global ones such as GMP and HACCP generally focuses on export-based industries, particularly when needed by international trade. Ability to understand the advantages of introducing MESTI across all sectors (government, the restaurant industry, and consumers) should be improved.

In particular, the shortage of management strategy and awareness of MESTI implementation is often seen in micro-enterprises. Because there are a small number of qualified staff to follow or fulfill the MESTI criteria in the first place, it may appear too difficult or too intense to manage for new companies in the food industry.

If you are looking for MESTI certification in Malaysia, then you might want to check out this website.