What we do
VGL Dimensions possess a National and International footprint of service and is equipped with the most modern knowledge and expertise that are easily pliable to the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) ideas and approaches.
01. SAMPLING AND TESTING SERVICES
VGL Dimensions offers independent sampling and accredited microbiological and chemical laboratory testing services to all food and beverage manufacturers.
The VGL Dimensions sampling laboratory was established to provide an impartial, reliable service to get the best out of the sample taken, also to benefit our customers compliance to various requirements and ensure public safety as a result of independently taken samples.
We follow the principles of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 in the field of sampling, for the following scope:
| Technology, Specification, Standard, Method or Technique | Item Sampled | |
|---|---|---|
| QM No. 7.2/SM-01 Sampling of Food and Feed (based on ISO 17728) | Poultry and Poultry Products, Meat and Meat Products, Fish and Fish Products, Spices and Herbs, Vegetables and Fruits, Eggs, Nuts, Ready-To-Eat Meals, Animal Feed Stuffs. | |
| QM No. 7.2/SM-02 Sampling of Water (based on ISO 5667 and ISO 19458) | Potable, Treatment Works and Storage Tanks, Main Distribution, Consumer Taps, Bottled, Borehole and Wastewater. | |
| QM No. 7.2/SM-03 Sampling of Surfaces (based on ISO 18593) | Surface Swabs, Hand Swabs, Equipment Swabs, Contact Paddles, Rodac Plates. | |
| QM No. 7.2/SM-04 Sampling of Carcasses (based on ISO 17604) | Carcass Excision, Carcass Swabs, Carcass rinsing. | |
| QM No. 7.2/SM-05 Sampling of Milk and Milk Products (based on ISO 707) | Raw and heat-treated milk, whole, partly skimmed and skimmed milk, flavoured milk, cream, fermented milk, buttermilk, liquid whey and similar products, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk and milk concentrate, semi-solid and solid milk products, edible ices, semi-processed ices and other frozen milk products, dried milk and dried milk products, butter and related products, cheese. | |
VGL Dimensions execute facilities customised and tailor-made sampling plans to warrant the reliable, accurate and consistent sampling methods that will yield credible and harmony test results. VGL Dimensions intervention in the independent and objective sampling will provides a peace of mind to the clients.
02. INSPECTION SERVICES
Our clientele varies from food facilities such as cutting plants, fast food outlets, bulk cold storage and warehouses, retail chain outlets, meat and meat products plants, fishing vessels, milk and milk products parlours, various natural and artificial water processers.
FOOD FACILITY INSPECTIONS
- Routine inspections of food and meat facilities
- Research and Development
- Legal compliance inspection
- Food processing inspection
- Facilitation and coordination of product recall
- Butchery compliance inspections
OTHER INDEPENDENT INSPECTIONS
- Independent inspections of the disposal of condemned food material,
- Supervision of food destruction facilities such incinerators, landfill etc.
- Inspection of food incinerator facilities
- Escort and secure safe disposal of inedible products of animal origin
WAREHOUSE AND BULK COLD STORES INSPECTIONS
VGL Dimensions has an excellent inspection program with staff in various fields of qualifications on food warehousing and cold storage of imported food commodities. Live and tracking of sampling programmes with minimal human error.
- Food warehouse legal compliance inspections
- Routine independent food safety inspections
- Independent verification functions
- Assist client with ZA audit for exporting warehouse compliance programs,
- Cold Stores ZA audit preparation for government approval,
- Onsite qualified health inspector placement in food and meat warehouses
- Import/Exported products food inspections
- Quality standards sampling solutions
03. CONSULTING SERVICES
Legal compliance programs of food industry to comply with the inspection criteria of quality regulations relating to:
01
Classification, packing and marking of processed meats intended for sale in South Africa (Regulation R.1283)
02
Raw Processed Meat Products Regulations
03
Control over the sale of poultry meat, compliance to mandatory brine injection criteria
04
Grading, packing and marking of eggs intended for sale in the republic of South Africa
05
To liaise with the relevant assignees for specific mandated for specific food products
06
Accompany assignees on behalf of the client during inspections
07
Integrated system for quality and meat safety programs for food facilities and abattoirs
04. ACADEMIA ADVISORY EXPERTISE
INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS
VGL Dimensions has positioned itself as a preferred advisory service provider to academic institutions in terms of their work integrated learning in the food and meat related environment.
With the credibility, experience and direct contact with food industry, VGL Dimensions is able to assist academia with the numerous mandatory student internship programs.
- Compilation of work integrated learning programs
- Placement and supervision of internship students at different food industries
- Practical training arrangement and implementation
SUBJECT AND INDUSTRY MATTER EXPERTS
VGL Dimensions possess vast knowledge in the food and meat industry field and accompanied long experience in this field. It is not a surprise the VGL Dimensions able and capable of providing the below services to academic institutions.
- Part-time lecturing
- External moderation of academic related subjects
- Second examiners of subject experts
- Short course presentation for specific subjects
- Technical committee participation on unit standard establishment and design
05. TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES
VGL Dimensions applies the best practices for training methods, and outcomes of which are measurable. Our training courses are credible, registered and effective. Due to our accredited status with various SETA’s, the training is recognised by relevant authorities.
We provide inhouse and public skills (for public courses, certain conditions may apply) training through our platform. The following critical training programs are available:
- Understanding Independent Meat Inspection Scheme Training (Meat Safety Act)
- Processed Meats Regulations Training (R.1283)
- Poultry Quality Standards and Labelling regulations Training (Including brine injection)
- OHS Act Legal Liability for supervisors and managers
- Health and Safety Training (SHE Rep)
- Incident Investigation Training
06. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY SERVICES
VGL Dimensions provides well-constructed and suited health and safety solutions for all types of work and working environments.
01
Construction health and safety agent function
02
Health and safety for retail environment
03
Compilation of safe work procedures
04
OHS Act Compliance programs
04
Routine health and safety inspections