Market leading food solutions business Deli Lites Ireland today announced it has been awarded an AA Grade by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), one of the strictest standards for food safety.

Each year Deli Lites has reached the highest possible level of accreditation and in 2016 the bar was raised with the introduction of a tougher audit process and a new top grade of AA.

Commenting on the award, Brian Reid, Managing Director of Deli Lites Ireland Limited, said; “We are extremely proud to be able to say that once again we have achieved the maximum possible standard in being awarded the new AA grade, making us one of the elite in our field.”

Based in Warrenpoint, and employing almost 200 people, Deli Lites Ireland supplies a range of branded food-to-go products into major retail, café and convenience outlets throughout the island of Ireland.

Mr Reid added; “Customers and clients will be pleased to know that not only are they continuing to receive some of the best quality and most nutritious food available, but also some of the safest.”

As well as its main production and new product development operations at Warrenpoint, Deli Lites has depots in Dublin and Cork.

Launched in 1998, the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety has come to be regarded as the leading safety and quality certification programme for retail suppliers.

In addition to the BRC AA Grade, Technical Manager at Deli Lites Ireland, Cathal McDonnell has recently completed the Royal Society of Public Health’s HACCP Level 4, achieving the highest mark in the UK.

“What Cathal has achieved is outstanding and very well deserved,” said Brian Reid.

“The RSPH level 4 is widely recognised as one of the toughest food industry qualifications and to be awarded the highest mark in the UK is truly reflective of his hard work and commitment not only to Deli Lites but to the food sector as a whole.”