Meatco has achieved a Blue Rating in a Woolworths food safety audit, a development the company says strengthens its prospects of supplying Namibian beef to the South African retail chain.
The audit was conducted on 10 and 11 June by independent auditors AVUTOM Consultants and assessed Meatco's production processes, food safety systems, documentation, traceability controls and animal welfare practices against Woolworths supplier requirements and South African red meat industry standards.
Meatco said the outcome marks an important step in its efforts to expand its relationship with Woolworths and secure shelf space for Namibian beef products in one of Southern Africa's best-known retail brands.
Interim chief executive Ambassador Albertus Aochamub said the rating demonstr
ates the company's ability to meet the requirements of premium retail markets.
"This Blue Rating is more than an audit result. It is an endorsement of Meatco's food safety systems, traceability standards and operational discipline," he said.
According to Aochamub, the achievement supports the company's strategy of moving beyond bulk beef exports towards consumer-ready products packaged for retail markets.
The audit forms part of Meatco's broader focus on food safety, animal welfare, product integrity and continuous improvement.
The company already holds several internationally recognised certifications, including Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards (BRCGS), which incorporates Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) requirements and Food Safety System Certification FSSC 22000. It also holds Halaal certification from the Muslim Judicial Council of South Africa, as well as GEIA Food and REMA 1000 certifications.
As Namibia's leading beef exporter, Meatco said it remains committed to creating value for producers while supplying high-quality beef products to regional and international markets.
