Gulf Coast Blenders – Compliance

Custom Dry Blends

For over 30 years, Gulf Coast Blenders (GCB) has manufactured some of the finest dry ingredient blends in the nation.  Based in New Orleans, Gulf Coast Blenders operates a 25,000 square foot facility where they are able to provide custom products for a variety of food manufacturers, restaurant chains and distributors across the nation.

GCB offers custom dry seasoning and spice blends and package lines of dry mixes. From the world-famous Commander’s Palace to the Brennan Family chain of restaurants, Gulf Coast Blenders produces a consistent, quality product every time. They provide customers with a signature custom dry blend curated by our professional team of culinary experts.

GCB works hard to maintain their family-driven, community-focused business that has served the finest chefs across the nation. If your customers are looking for the authentic Cajun/Creole taste, Gulf Coast Blenders is the best.

Acquisition Assistance

Permits to Operate, Food Safety Plans, Food Safety Assessments

Gulf Coast Blenders was recently acquired by L.H. Hayward and Company, the parent company of Camellia Beans. When there is a change in ownership within a food company or if a food company is acquired, the Louisiana Department of Health requires those companies to re-apply for a permit to operate.  L.H. Hayward needed to focus on the acquisition details and merging of the two companies so they reached out to Food Safety and Quality Services to assist them with obtaining a new Department of Health permit to operate for GCB.

When there is a change in ownership within a food company or if a food company is acquired, the Louisiana Department of Health requires those companies to re-apply for a permit to operate.  L.H. Hayward needed to focus on the acquisition details and merging of the two companies so they reached out to Food Safety and Quality Services to assist them with obtaining a new Department of Health permit to operate for GCB.

DHH Permit

Food Safety and Quality Services immediately contacted the Department of Health inspector in charge of the facility and began to coordinate efforts to quickly get their permitting process started.   We worked with both companies to gather the necessary legal documents that needed to be submitted. The application process called for specific company sales and contact info as well as a floor plan of the facility, a food safety plan, product labels, list of distributors, a recall plan and various other requests for information.  We created a fresh food safety plan with the new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements in mind.  We assisted with updating product labels, the recall plan and list of distributors as well as with creating new prerequisite procedures to help support their food safety plan. We also worked with the Gulf Coast Blenders staff to prepare the facility for a formal DHH inspection, which was the last step before a permit could be granted.

The process progressed seamlessly and Gulf Coast Blenders received their permit to operate with no hesitation.