Elmer Chocolate – Audits

Largest Small Heart Manufacturer in the US

In 1855 in New Orleans, Christopher Henry Miller turned his pastry chef experience into the Miller Candy Corporation. His son-in-law, Augustus Elmer, eventually joined him. Around the turn of the century, the company’s name was changed to Elmer-Miller. In 1914, Elmer’s sons signed on to what is now known as Elmer Candy Corporation.

Elmer is currently the second largest heart box manufacturer in the country with products distributed to more than 100 retailers in 13 different countries. Easter favorites Gold Brick®, Heavenly Hash and Pecan Eggs outsell national leaders five to one along the Gulf Coast.

Maintaining Audit Excellence

Audit Ready 365

Elmer Chocolate is an SQF A-grade certified facility…and they want to keep it that way!  The food industry has gone through some significant changes with the new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and with new third-party audit requirements and Elmer wanted to make sure they would seamlessly evolve with these new requirements.

Elmer contacted Food Safety and Quality Services to talk through opportunities for a coordinated effort to continuously improve their procedures and good manufacturing practices and stay ahead of the new federal and global food safety and quality initiatives.

The food industry has gone through some significant changes with the new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and with new third-party audit requirements and Elmer wanted to make sure they would seamlessly evolve with these new requirements.

Long-Term Partnership

Annual GAP Assessments Help Maintain Audit Excellence

Elmer and Food Safety and Quality Services created a long-term partnership.  FSQS visits their production facility frequently and performs annual GAP assessments against the current SQF and FSMA requirements, which helps Elmer prepare for and maintain excellent audit results.   By finding and eliminating issues before they become widespread, these internal audits have proven to be an invaluable process for Elmer’s continuous improvement efforts and maintaining A grades on their SQF audits.  Auditors often have to work extra hard to find audit nonconformities.

Elmer also keeps FSQS on an annual retainer, which gives them access to our services anytime they are needed.  We assist them with managing any internal food safety challenges as well as identifying emerging food safety trends and industry best practices to keep them on the forefront of the food industry.