In food manufacturing, quality and safety are non-negotiable. For brands, retailers and consumers alike, confidence in how food is made is just as important as how it tastes. That’s where recognised industry standards play a vital role.
One of the most respected global benchmarks for food safety and quality is the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety. Achieving a BRC AAA rating represents the highest possible level of compliance, and for dairy-free manufacturers, it carries particular significance. At Met Foods, we operate as a BRC AAA–rated facility, reflecting our commitment to producing high-quality, safe and reliable dairy-free products across every stage of manufacturing.
BRC Global Standards were developed to create a consistent framework for food safety, quality and operational standards across the supply chain.
The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety is now used worldwide by:
It provides a structured system that covers:
Certification to BRC standards helps ensure that food products are produced in a safe, controlled and compliant environment.
BRC certification is awarded following independent audits, with grades ranging from AA, A, B, C or D, depending on performance and audit frequency. An AAA rating is the highest possible outcome.
It means that:
In practical terms, a BRC AAA rating shows that a manufacturer consistently operates at the highest level of food safety and quality management.
Food safety risks can arise at any point in the manufacturing process, from raw material intake through to packing and dispatch. BRC standards are designed to identify and control these risks before they become issues.
Key areas covered by BRC include:
Rather than focusing on a single checkpoint, BRC requires a fully integrated food safety management system. This ensures quality and safety are built into daily operations, not added as an afterthought.
Dairy-free and plant-based production presents its own set of challenges, many of which make rigorous standards even more important.
Dairy is one of the UK’s major food allergens. In dairy-free manufacturing, preventing cross-contamination is critical.
BRC standards require:
For manufacturers producing food for people with allergies or intolerances, these controls are essential.
Plant-based formulations often rely on complex ingredient systems and processes, such as fermentation and homogenisation, to achieve the right texture and flavour.
BRC standards support:
This is particularly important as dairy-free products scale from development into commercial production.
Retailers and brand partners need absolute confidence in their manufacturing partners.
A BRC AAA rating reassures them that:
For plant-based brands entering a competitive market, working with a BRC AAA–rated manufacturer can be a key differentiator.
At Met Foods, BRC AAA certification reflects how we operate day to day, not just how we perform during audits.
We follow structured quality systems that cover:
These systems allow us to maintain consistency while supporting innovation in dairy-free product development.
BRC standards place strong emphasis on people.
At Met Foods:
Maintaining AAA status requires ongoing commitment from the entire team.
BRC certification is not a one-off achievement.
To maintain AAA status, manufacturers must:
This approach supports long-term operational excellence and ensures standards evolve alongside products and processes.
For our customers, from established brands to growing plant-based start-up, BRC AAA certification provides confidence.
It means:
In a category where trust is essential, certification matters.
As the plant-based and dairy-free sector continues to grow, expectations around quality, safety and transparency are rising. BRC AAA certification helps set a clear benchmark, not just for compliance, but for best practice.
At Met Foods, being a BRC AAA–rated facility reflects our commitment to responsible manufacturing, rigorous quality control and producing dairy-free foods that meet the highest industry standards.
