For the past twenty years, compliance with the MOCA (Materials and Objects in Contact with Food) Regulation has been mandatory for all food and drink production facilities in Europe. Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 on MOCA is a cornerstone of food safety. This document sets strict standards for materials and articles intended to come into contact with food to ensure uncompromising safety for the end consumer.
We often hear about MOCA compliance in relation to food packaging, but compliance of production facilities is equally important but often underestimated.
The penalties for non-compliance can be severe, with fines of up to €80,000.
As well as being a legal obligation, complying with food safety regulations is a necessity to protect consumer health and a great opportunity to excel in the food industry.
MOCA certification is a legal obligation and an opportunity for excellence
The MOCA Declaration of Conformity has been mandatory in Europe for 20 years and certifies the safety of food contact materials (MOCA), ensuring compliance with the strict food safety standards imposed by regulations. But what does it actually mean to ensure that equipment is compliant?
MOCA compliance is a complex and precise process that ensures food hygiene and safety at every stage, from production to packaging and storage. Every material and component in the plant must be MOCA certified, which means that all suppliers must also be MOCA certified. Manufacturing processes, materials and components must be tracked in accordance with MOCA regulations.
However, despite being mandatory for more than two decades, few European plant manufacturers have complied with this procedure, perhaps discouraged by the complexity of ensuring the selection and traceability of materials and processes. Many companies seem to ignore the obvious benefits in terms of food safety and quality, as well as brand credibility.
MOCA certification is not only about food safety, but is closely linked to the quality of the final product. Only through scrupulous hygiene and a process that avoids any contamination, as required by the MOCA standards, can excellent product quality be guaranteed.
Safety in the food chain starts at the production plant
At Fraugroup, we are committed to ensuring that every plant and machine we design and manufacture for the European Union is MOCA certified. Every material, from the components to the detergents used for cleaning, and every process, such as welding, is subjected to a rigorous MOCA compliance check, guaranteeing the highest level of food safety and quality.
Our meticulous attention to detail allows us not only to comply with legal standards, but also to offer our customers an additional means of distinguishing themselves in the marketplace and ensuring their confidence in the safety and quality of their products.
