Gorant Chocolatier Earns SQF Certification
BOARDMAN, Ohio – Gorant Chocolatier announced Thursday that it has been awarded Safe Quality Foods, or SQF, certification, a step it says positions the company for growth.
“Gorant Chocolatier’s current customers have required that our facility become SQF-certified,” said Jack Peluse, Gorant director of operations, in a prepared statement. “Even though, we have always operated at the highest level of quality standards, this certification will allow us to continue contract manufacturing for certain customers.”
Achieving SQF certification reflects a recipient’s meeting the requirements of the Global Food Safety Initiative, recognized by retailers and food service providers around the world.
The Global Food Safety Initiative requires a rigorous and credible food safety management system, Peluse says.
The standards of GFSI, a collaboration of the world’s leading food safety experts, are recognized worldwide. Adherence allows suppliers to demonstrate their excellence in preparation, processing and handling.
“Certification was a very rigorous undertaking, Peluse says, “but we couldn’t be happier or prouder of our team that we were able to rise to this level.”
Brothers Sam and Charles Gorant founded Gorant Candies in Youngstown in 1949. The first candies produced were several flavors of sugar mints in pastel colors.
The brothers opened additional stores the Youngstown area. In 1977, the company opened a 57,000-square-foot plant at 8301 Market Street in Boardman.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
