The Safe And Local Supplier Approval (SALSA) scheme has attracted a record number of members.

Set up in 2007, the initiative grants food safety certification recognised by leading national buyers to small-scale packers and processors across the food sector.

More than 700 businesses have joined SALSA and some 430 hold SALSA certification. Growing acceptance of the standard means that more than 450 buyers from supermarkets, foodservice and catering suppliers are actively using the SALSA scheme including Asda, Waitrose, Compass, 3663 and The National Trust.

SALSA scheme director Chris Grimes said: “The success of SALSA during the first quarter of 2012 has surpassed even our own optimistic expectations. January to March has seen record numbers of new members joining the scheme and more existing members moving on to their certification audits than during any other period in SALSA’s five-year history.”

The growth of the scheme is expected to continue with suppliers seeking approval to meet the needs of buyers requesting an industry-approved certification for food safety, legality and quality. The SALSA standard was written by experienced food safety professionals to reflect both the legal requirements of producers and the enhanced expectations of best practice of food buyers. Approval certification is only granted to suppliers who are able to demonstrate to a SALSA auditor that they are able to produce safe and legal food and are committed to continually meeting the requirements of the SALSA standard.

A spokeswoman told FPJ: “It is not a lesser standard than the BRC [British Retail Consortium standard], it is just more appropriate for smaller, micro-businesses, which represent more than 70 per cent of our membership.”

SALSA is a joint venture between the NFU, the BRC, the Food & Drink Federation and the British Hospitality Association.