What does a food safety consultant actually do?

A consultant implements your food safety management system — not hands you a folder of templates. That means building the HACCP plan with your team, writing procedures that match your actual process, training your staff to run the system, and preparing you for the certification audit.

Do I need a consultant, or can I do this myself?

You can build SANS 10330 HACCP yourself if you have time, a technical background, and the discipline to maintain it. Most business owners do not have all three.

Why is food safety consultancy so expensive?

Because the work is technical, time-intensive, and carries professional liability. The cost of getting it wrong is significantly higher than the cost of getting it right the first time.

What should I have in place before I hire a consultant?

At minimum: a clear picture of your process from raw material intake to finished product, your product specifications, and a committed food safety team member.

Learning Hub

Understand before you decide.

Interactive tools and plain-language guides for food safety professionals. Build your culture plan, choose the right standard, and know what everything costs — before you pick up the phone.

People

What you should know before you call a consultant.

Most food businesses come to a consultant at one of three moments: ahead of a retailer deadline, after a failed audit, or when they realise they have been running on hope. The more you understand before you start, the better the outcome.

Processes

Three standards. One right choice for your business.

The certification landscape in South Africa comes down to three standards.

FSSC 22000

The most widely recognised standard in South Africa. Accepted by major global retailers and export markets, and the right target for any business serious about long-term growth.

Who: Food and beverage manufacturers, wine producers, packaging companies

Retailers: Woolworths, Pick n Pay, Checkers, most export markets

Timeline: 6-12 months from scratch

Cost: R80,000 - R180,000 total (consultant + certification body)

Read the full guide

BRCGS

The British Retail Consortium standard — the preferred choice for businesses with export ambitions or supplying UK-linked retailers. Rigorous, globally recognised, and increasingly required for cross-border trade.

Who: Manufacturers supplying UK retailers, global brands, or export-focused businesses

Retailers: UK retailers, Woolworths, international supply chains

Timeline: 6-12 months

Cost: R80,000 - R200,000 total

Read the full guide

SANS 10330

The South African national HACCP standard. The right starting point for businesses building their first food safety system — forms the foundation for FSSC 22000 when you are ready to scale.

Who: South African food manufacturers starting their compliance journey

Retailers: Food Lovers Market, independent retailers, direct-to-consumer

Timeline: 3-6 months

Cost: R15,000 - R60,000 total

Read the full guide

Performance

Find the right certification for your operation.

Three questions. A clear starting point — and a cost estimate so you know what you are looking at before you reach out.

Which standard — and how to get there

Question 1 of 30% complete

What type of food operation are you?

This helps us match you to the right standard.

What will it cost?

Cost Estimator

What will certification cost me?

Which standard?

Business size

Current food safety system

Estimated investment

R85,000 - R140,000

Typical timeline

Estimates include consultant fees and certification body costs. Actual costs depend on the complexity of your process, the number of product lines, and your team availability during implementation.

Get an accurate quote

People

Build your Food Safety Culture Plan.

FSSC 22000 v6 clause 2.5.8 requires a documented food safety and quality culture program. Work through all 7 elements below and leave with an audit-ready action plan.

Interactive Planner

Build your Food Safety Culture Plan

FSSC 22000 v6 clause 2.5.8 requires a documented food safety culture program. This tool walks you through all 7 elements, helps you assess where you stand, and generates an action plan you can take into your next management review.

7 elements

Every requirement of clause 2.5.8 — objectives, plan, communication, training, feedback, measurement, leadership.

Self-assessment

Rate each element: Not Started, In Progress, or Established.

Action checklist

For each gap, select specific actions to build into your culture plan.

Audit-ready output

Walk away with a structured plan and auditor tips for every weak area.

Ready to have the real conversation?

Fill in the intake form and Bennii will respond within 48 hours.

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