York, Maine-based company Maine Coast has achieved certification under Safe Quality Food’s (SQF) Food Safety Code for Manufacturing, the North Atlantic lobster distributor announced on 17 September.
The company, which is known for its Lively Lobster, achieved a score of 97 and an “Excellent” status under SQF’s criteria, it confirmed in a press release. Maine Coast sources its lobster from Maine and Canadian fisheries that are certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and recognized as producing “Good Alternative” catch by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program.
An independent food safety standard administered by the Safe Quality Food Institute, SQF’s Food Safety Code is globally recognized and regarded for it rigor and comprehensiveness. To achieve SQF certification, producers must develop and implement stringent food safety systems that can be applied to every step of the supply chain, from production and handling to processing and distribution, according to Maine Coast.
“Our customers trust Maine Coast to deliver high-quality lobster each and every time,” said Tom Adams, Maine Coast’s CEO, of the company’s commitment to quality and sustainability. “The company is committed to the sustainability of our wild fishery via our Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification and active leadership in the Maine Certified Sustainable Lobster Association (MCSLA). Achieving SQF certification was a company a priority to ensure the safety and quality of our products. We are proud of the certification and to be currently positioned as one of the only lobster wholesalers certified on live lobster. It is an achievement that reinforces our longstanding commitment to live lobster and to providing our customers products that are sustainable, high-quality, safe, and trusted.”
Maine Coast distributes North Atlantic live lobster across the United States and around the world, with operations in York, Maine and on the Boston Fish Pier in Massachusetts. The company’s state-of-the-art facilities have a capacity for 180,000 pounds of live lobster and employee 45 people collectively. Numerous accolades have been bestowed upon the supplier recently, including the 2016 Mainebiz Fastest Growing Mid- Sized Company title; a 2017 Inc. 5000’s Fastest Growing Private Companies nod; the 2018 Maine International Trade Center's Exporter of the Year award; and the 2019 Presidential “E” Award for Exports.
Photo courtesy of Maine Coast