Cost of Chicken Processing
across the UK

# Chicken Processing Accreditation

The UK poultry processing industry is primarily regulated by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), which works alongside the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to enforce food safety standards and hygiene requirements under legislation such as the Food Safety Act 1990 and the General Food Law Regulations. Chicken processors must comply with HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) principles and meet requirements set out in food safety management systems. Key accreditation schemes include BRC (British Retail Consortium) certification, which is increasingly demanded by major retailers and distributors, and Red Tractor certification, which covers farm assurance and supply chain standards for poultry. ISO 22000 certification indicates compliance with international food safety management standards, while SALSA (Safe And Local Supplier Accreditation) provides independent verification of safety and quality in small and medium-sized food businesses. Processors may also hold certifications for specific practices such as halal or kosher slaughter, depending on their market segment. These accreditations demonstrate that a processor meets rigorous standards for hygiene, traceability, animal welfare, and food safety management.

Verifying a processor's credentials is straightforward and essential. You can check BRC certification through the BRC's official directory on their website, which lists accredited sites and their current certification status and scope. Red Tractor certification can be verified through the Red Tractor website, where you can search by producer or facility. For ISO 22000 accreditation, contact the certification body directly or check the UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) register, which lists all accredited certification bodies in the UK. Always ask processors for copies of their current certificates and check expiry dates, as accreditations require annual audits and renewal every three years. This verification matters because accredited processors have undergone