ATCHISON, Kan., July 13, 2016—MGP has once again completed a British Retail Consortium (BRC) audit with outstanding results, achieving a Grade AA rating for the company’s wheat protein and starch facility in Atchison, Kan. This was the sixth time in as many years that the facility has earned the BRC’s highest food and beverage safety rating, which previously was measured on a scale with a maximum score of Grade A.
This latest audit, conducted in the spring, resulted in no non-conformances based on the BRC’s stringent ratings standards. A total of 256 items are included in the annual auditing process.
“Finishing an audit with no non-conformances is a rare achievement,” said David Whitmer, corporate director of quality. “With multiple buildings, processing equipment and package types included, the BRC audit of food ingredients is rigorous and complex. Nearly every one of our protein and starch customers requests a copy of MGP’s BRC Certificate and it further strengthens their confidence to see the ‘Grade AA’ listed on the certificate. All of our employees can feel extremely proud of the outcome of this year’s audit, as well as past audits.”
Whitmer added, “The Grade AA rating provides further validation of MGP’s commitment to provide customers with the highest quality ingredients. This result is strong validation of our continual progress in building our legacy as a leading U.S. supplier of specialty wheat proteins and starches and premium distilled spirits.”
In March 2016, MGP’s Lawrenceburg, Ind., distillery had its annual BRC audit and also achieved a Grade AA rating. The company’s Atchison distillery BRC audit is scheduled to occur this October.
The BRC food and beverage safety audit is an approved standard under the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). The GFSI benchmarks food and beverage safety standards for third-party audits that can be conducted and recognized worldwide.
About MGP
Celebrating its 75th anniversary, MGP is a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches. Distilled spirits include bourbon and rye whiskeys, gins and vodkas, which are carefully crafted through a combination of art and science and backed by a long history of experience. The company's proteins and starches are created in the same manner and provide a host of functional, nutritional and sensory benefits for a wide range of food products. MGP additionally is a top producer of high quality industrial alcohol for use in both food and non-food applications. The company is headquartered in Atchison, Kansas, where distilled alcohol products and food ingredients are produced. Premium spirits are also distilled and matured at the company’s facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. For more information, visit mgpingredients.com.