Hive Mind Mead and Brew Co was founded in 2018 by brothers Kit and Matt Newell in the beautiful Wye Valley in the Welsh Borders.
The brothers established the business with the goal of modernising the world’s oldest alcoholic drink. Combining their love of beekeeping with their interest in brewing, Hive Mind employs modern beer brewing techniques to produce a range of light sparkling meads and honey beers, many of which are made using British honey.
Hive Mind has previously received support from ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre with their food safety management systems and so contacted the Centre for further support when they had moved to a new factory and were aiming to become SALSA certified.
SALSA is one of the most widely recognised food safety certification schemes in the UK and is designed for smaller food producers and suppliers.
A ZERO2FIVE technologist conducted a full internal systems review, assessing the company’s food safety management systems against the requirements of SALSA Issue 6. As a result, the company were provided with a gap analysis and mentored to implement an action plan to put in place the processes, systems and paperwork needed to become SALSA certified.
The company were assisted to create a range of food safety management documents, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) inspection paperwork, a food security risk assessment, a glass and hard plastics audit, and raw material risk assessment.
Benefits of the support
As a result of the support from ZERO2FIVE, Hive Mind successfully passed their SALSA audit. The company has been able to secure a range of new customers who require their suppliers to hold SALSA certification and as a result three jobs have been safeguarded within the company.
Thanks to ZERO2FIVE and Project HELIX, we are now able to supply retailers and wholesalers who require SALSA and they have the confidence in our ability to provide them with the reassurance that we are fully compliant with their requirements through this certification. ZERO2FIVE were a vital tool in helping us achieve the level of proficiency required by the SALSA auditor.”