OUR MISSION
At PEPPADEW® we strive to use our business as a force for good, helping to build a more inclusive and sustainable future for our company and the world around us.
The CSR policy has been established with an aim to guarantee that our work is conducted ethically, considering human rights as well as the social economic environmental impacts of what we do as a business. Peppadew International (Pty) Ltd strives not only to meet all applicable legislation, but to exceed the standards thereof where possible.
Where legislation may not exist in any given area, we further see to carry out best practice to the best of our ability in any event.
For Peppadew International “sustainable development” is defined as “meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Peppadew International will develop a unique purpose, by building concrete, attainable goals and objectives.
Peppadew International prides itself in seeking to conduct business in manners that have a positive effect on society.
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
Peppadew International (Pty) Ltd was incorporated in 1995 as a food manufacturer focussing on peppers and related food products. Ever since our incorporation, our factory premises has been based in the Tzaneen region and over the last 24 years, has helped transform the lives of thousands of previously disadvantaged families in the area through the creation of sustainable employment.
Today, PEPPADEW® branded products are exported to over 27 countries around the world. Through the growth of the brand and ensuring that as many locally sourced ingredients are used as possible, Peppadew International (Pty) Ltd seeks to continue efforts in positive growth for the communities that support it.
Food Safety & Product Quality at PEPPADEW®
Maintaining high standards is entrenched in our values and central to each employee’s approach to their everyday work. Food safety and product quality are top priorities for the PEPPADEW® Brand. Our products are sold in more than 27 countries around the world, and we therefore have the responsibility to ensure their safety and quality. Fundamental to our undertaking is a promise to manufacture products that are both safe and of the highest quality for our consumers’ enjoyment. Peppadew International Food Safety Policy outlines our commitments to deliver on this promise.
Furthermore, we treasure the trust consumers around the world have in us. We therefore apply stringent rules to every stage of the production process for every product that we manufacture. We also undertake numerous tests to give us the utmost confidence that our own facilities and those of our suppliers can sustain the standards expected of us.
Every new product is assessed from a quality point of view from the very start of its development. This is to ensure that all necessary food safety rules and any other regulations can be fully applied during production. We apply globally recognised Good Manufacturing Practices and the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system. In turn, our systems for hazard analysis are verified by independent inspectors.
In addition, we use qualified ingredients, approved suppliers and follow all applicable regulations. Our products are traceable, which enables us to quickly investigate and address any potential concerns in the marketplace. Our facilities conduct mock recalls on at least an annual basis to ensure readiness to respond to any incident. On the rare occasions when incidents occur, we take quick action, conduct robust investigations, implement corrective and preventative actions.
The packaging and labelling of all PEPPADEW® products play a key role in assuring the quality, shelf-life and safe use of a product. We pride ourselves on clear instructions and simple-to-understand date coding on our packaging that is compliant with required regulations. Furthermore, we have established clear communication lines for customers to tell us about any issues or concerns.
Our training programs deliver capability building solutions in support of our organisation’s strategies and objectives. These tailored training sessions are available to all workers whose roles impact the safety and quality of our products.
Food safety and quality performance, including recalls and regulatory inspections, are reviewed at bimonthly meetings and on an annual basis, respectively. In addition, Peppadew International tracks and reviews food safety information with its directors at least annually.
In support of the above, we currently have the following certification in place at our Nkowankowa facility in South Africa:
- FSSC 22000 Food Safety System
- FDA Registration
- Orthodox Union (OU) Kosher
- South African National Halaal Authority (SANHA) Halaal
- Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) Halaal
- Sustainability Initiative of South Africa Standard (SIZA)
- Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE)
- Vegan
- GLOBAL G.A.P.
FARMING
While Peppadew International processes a variety of fruit and vegetable products, its flagship product is the Piquanté Pepper. Peppadew International’s production model does not include the farming of Piquanté Peppers itself, but rather involves a procurement process of contracting with a large number of farmers in order to acquire the required quantities of produce. It is through this process, that we are able to provide sustainable income and consistent skills development to many farmers in, and around, the Tzaneen region.
Peppadew International’s agricultural team consists of fully qualified agronomists who are primarily responsible for serving our farmers with all necessary guidance, information and technical advice. Farms will be visited on a weekly basis to inspect progress and to provide advice on achieving improvement. Regular study group meetings and information days are held in order to keep farmers up to date with the latest technology and farming practices. Training sessions are also held from time to time to specifically focus on the growth and education of previously disadvantaged (or emerging) farmers.
In addition to the above, our farmers are provided with educational content in the form of Growers’ Manuals and prescribed spraying and fertilisation programs that adhere to food safety requirements. Annual audits of chemical stores and farming practices are also conducted in order to ensure compliance with good agricultural practices and food safety standards.
In the cause of achieving growth goals, combined farmers may employ between 4,000 to 5,000 people during peak season, thus resulting in the provision of livelihood for extended families and up to as many as 25,000 people within the community.
Approximately half of Peppadew International’s contracted farmers are from less privileged communities. These farmers often employ further family members to work the crops and in other instances, people from the local rural communities. The ripple effect in the economy of the production area cannot be underestimated. Suppliers of chemicals and fertilisers, diesel, electricity as well as the seedling nurseries all benefit from this business and employ large numbers of the community.
OUR COMMITMENTS
Education and Empowering Workers
- Actively invest in R&D. We will be open to suggestions and listen carefully to ideas
- As a quality brand, the PEPPADEW® Brand will try to continuously improve the way we operate
Economic Empowerment
- Participate in charitable giving and engagement with local communities through funding of projects in these communities
ENVIRONMENT
We recognize the need to protect the natural environment, as such wherever possible, we will endeavor to:
- Follow best practices when disposing garbage
- Conserve energy
- Recycle
- Organise reforestation excursions
- Use environmentally friendly technologies
Labour and Human Rights
- Dedicated to protecting human rights. We are a committed equal opportunity employer and will abide by all fair labour practices
- To establish Human Resources and management policies, systems, and procedures, for ongoing and dynamic adaptation to environmental and organisational change, so that progressive and innovative Labour Relations orientated practices and approaches become part of the organisational culture, management philosophy and methodologies
Health and Safety
- Peppadew International is committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of its employees, so far as is reasonably practicable. We also fully accept our responsibility for other persons who may be affected by our activities. We will take steps to ensure that our statutory duties are met at all times
- All management activities will comply with company safety requirements as they relate to planning, operation and maintenance of facilities and equipment. All employees will perform their jobs properly in accordance with established procedures and safe work practices
COMMUNITY
The relationship between Peppadew International and our communities is an essential part of yours and our growth. In line with our core values, our corporate strategy incorporates the following elements:
- Offering employment opportunities to all sectors of the community through non-discriminatory policies
- Supporting the local community groups and charities
- Promoting engagement between staff and the community
- Improving the environment in and around our operations
ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE
- Conduct business with integrity and respect to human rights. Ensuring we are SIZA/SEDEX accredited, so to demonstrate our fair and ethical employment practises
- Promote safety and fair dealing
- Respect toward the consumer and customer
- Anti-bribery and anti-corruption practices
- Respect the law
- Honour our policies
- Business operations are legitimate
- Keep partnership and collaboration open and transparent
GIVING BACK
The PEPPADEW® Brand initiates and supports community investment and educational programmes.
Initiative: Noah’s Ark Children’s Home Tzaneen
Noah’s Ark Children’s Home is based in our home region of Tzaneen.
The charity serves and supports orphaned, abandoned, and abused children of the Limpopo Province. Providing love, safety and all essential needs, the charity endeavours to restore their physical and emotional health. By safeguarding the children, we can aid their ability to attend and finish school, so that they can live their lives as children, and in time, progress into adulthood with an education.
