MAST Iceland -- sufficient? Equivalent to BRC accreditation?

Hello,

I have recently switched jobs, moved from meat to fish industry and have a question with regards to accreditation.

I am currently reviewing the supplier approval procedure and list. We are committed to only source our raw materials from BRC accredited sites, or equivalent.

One of our potential suppliers stated that they are not BRC accredited, however they are audited by MAST which is supposedly recognised in Iceland. I have never heard of it before and was wondering whether it can be considered as equivalent to BRC accreditation.

Have any of you come across it and are you able to tell me more about it please?

"MAST is an inspection and administrative body and the Competent Authority (CA) in Iceland in the field of food safety, animal health and welfare, control of feed, seed and fertilisers, plant health and water for human consumption"

Regards,

M.

If your definition of BRC certified is the standard approach that alternative schemes must have recognised equivalence via GFSI, then no, it's not equivalent.

As the competent authority for Iceland, MAST is broadly equivalent to the Food Standards Agency in the UK in terms of food, although MAST's remit is somewhat wider so would also encompass some of what APHA, the HSE etc cover here.

I am currently reviewing the supplier approval procedure and list. We are committed to only source our raw materials from BRC accredited sites, or equivalent.

...

Being audited under MAST is not the same as BRC/GFSI equivalent. MAST is not the equal.

Basically a standard food safety audit is the requirement for MAST.

But its a start.