Forbes Chocolate Wins 2018 Food Quality & Safety Award

“In November 2017, we replaced our old dust collector system,” Sandy says. “Forbes Chocolate works with all powder materials, so we create a high level of dust particles throughout our manufacturing process. As part of our continuous improvement measures, we installed a more advanced HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter system. The new dust collector system contains 12 regular filters and six separate Camfil XH Absolute HEPA filters, and allows for 99.97 percent to 99.99 percent efficiency. This becomes an extremely critical control measure when we run allergen-containing products due to the risk of cross-contamination. The new air filters provide an ultra-clean air environment while at the same time are energy efficient.”

Another improvement was updating product labeling equipment and software in January 2017. “As a supplier of bulk ingredients that are further processed by our customers into items such as chocolate milk and ice cream products, it is imperative that we maintain a level of transparency regarding our finished products,” Sandy emphasizes. “With more companies implementing online and data management systems, such as barcoding software, we decided it would be beneficial for our company to update our finished product labeling technology to include barcoding on all labels, as well as add additional quality measures such as a ‘Best By’ date and a ‘Manufactured in the USA’ statement to better serve the requirements and needs of our customers.”

The Forbes calibration program has recently undergone several positive changes. “Starting at the end of 2016, with full implementation at the beginning of 2017, we moved to include the bulk super sac scales as part of our annual calibration program,” Sandy points out. “Prior to this change, we utilized the check weigher as the main quality point for final net weight verification. Adding this extra calibration verifies, to a higher degree, the numerical accuracy of the raw materials that we put into our finished products. In addition, we added daily internal scale calibrations to those used in our laboratory for research and development purposes. This addition increases the accuracy of the ingredients used in the samples supplied to customers, which in turn provides them with a more accurate representation of the product they will ultimately be purchasing from our company.”

As Forbes Chocolate is a processor of dry ingredients, the risk for contamination or pathogen activity is relatively low due to the nature of the materials because they contain low water activity and are stored in ambient conditions, Sandy notes. “However, this does not prevent us from continually monitoring our facility and verifying that the investments and changes we have made have been effective,” he emphasizes.

Quality Assurance Priorities

The Forbes team sincerely believes its devotion to product quality assurance and safety reaps measurable benefits for themselves and their customers.

“Forbes Chocolate’s commitment to customer service is what helps us stand out in a niche sector of the food industry,” says Ellon Waters, the firm’s quality assurance and lab manager. “We continually strive to meet customer expectations through ongoing employee training, maintaining Safe Quality Food Level 3 certification, implementing innovative new product lines, and personally following up with customers regarding issues, requests, or comments they may have.”

All Forbes Chocolate products are either Star-K or Star-D kosher certified as applicable, and there’s an ever-growing line of organic and halal certified offerings.

Waters emphasizes that providing customers with high-quality product not only leads to an increase in customers’ production and overall sales, but also benefits them regarding their end products. Case in point: Umpqua Dairy.

Additionally, several of Forbes’ larger customers annually award their top suppliers based on product quality and customer support. In 2017, Forbes Chocolate was awarded the “Outstanding Supplier” award by a major nutraceutical manufacturer for the second consecutive year.

Sustainable Cocoa, Sustainable Lives

A firm commitment to sustainable cocoa is an integral part of Forbes’ business. “We’ve been offering Organic Certified cocoa products for many years and in 2014 we moved toward adding both Non-GMO Project Verified and Fair Trade Certified items to our product line,” notes Alexis Minnich, Forbes’ regulatory manager.