Our Quality

Not all beef is created equal.

Under our expert care we only select beef produced in South Africa (ZA).

Our cattle feeding operation is ISO 22000 accredited ensuring that our cattle are treated humanely and mitigating the risks associated with feeding and medicating animals. Our electronic identification system (EID) is at the core of our ISO accreditation as this system puts much emphasis on the traceability of every animal right through the life cycle of the animal.

Our beef processing facility in Welkom is FSSC 22000 accredited and subjected to stringent health and safety measures. Fully recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative, the FSSC 22000 accreditation demonstrates Sparta’s commitment to ensuring world-class health and safety standards. Traceability through our EID system continues throughout our vertically integrated operation and up to packaged, deboned product.

The Sparta beef plant is certified Halaal by SANHA and NIHT.
Our beef processing facility is export approved by the South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF). Export plant number ZA 91.

Rest assured that we have ticked all the boxes when it comes to quality – ensuring that every bite is tender, tasty and full of flavour.

Halaal

VISIT SANHA WEBSITE

VISIT NIHT WEBSITE

Did you know that the class of meat isn’t the only thing
to consider when buying meat?

We’ve all heard about A, B and C class (sometimes incorrectly referred to as grade) meat. Naturally you would think that this classification is the only quality measurement to consider. However, the South African red meat classification system only allows for classification of meat based on age and fat covering.

Other factors, such as tenderness, consistency and overall quality of product, is not guaranteed by a certain class of meat. Sparta Beef, on the other hand, guarantees quality and taste as well as the degree to which it is met consistently.

Sparta Beef comes from specially selected animals, which are fed a scientifically formulated, nutritious diet of the highest quality grain products for a specific period, and are not subjected to inappropriate stress.

At Sparta, we also follow a very strict slaughter and cooling regime. These checks and processes drastically increase the likelihood that you will have a tastier and more consistent eating experience, regardless of the class of the animal.

This is especially true pertaining to class A and AB, and in some cases a Sparta class B animal may produce tastier, more succulent meat than a non-Sparta class A animal.

The quality and taste of the meat you buy therefore has more to do with how the animal was cared for, fed and slaughtered than with the age of the animal, which is what the classification system is based on.

OUR QUALITY CERTIFICATIONS

Our quality is underpinned by the following certifications and regulations we adhere to from start to finish:

  • ISO certification, for the production of our live animals (integrating the ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environmental), ISO 22000 (food safety) and OHSAS 18001 (non-ISO) operational health and safety standards.
  • FSSC 2200 Certification for our beef plant.
  • Compliance to the Meat Safety Act (Act 40 of 2000), adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s) and Good Hygiene Practice (GHP) in all sectors of the plant.
  • The ISO system implemented at the cattle feeding operation is strictly adhered to, ensuring that the raw product sent to the meat plant is safe and of a high standard.
  • We utilise external meat inspection and classification services (IMQAS), as well as a local veterinarian to visually inspect livestock before and during the slaughter process.
  • Quarterly visits from a South African Meat Industry Company (SAMIC) coordinator continually updates classifiers on regulations as set by the Department of Agriculture.
  • Humane handling procedures are practised and maintained at every stage of the slaughter process. Safety and quality procedures continue to be monitored throughout the process until delivery to our customers.
  • Regular training from the Red Meat Abattoir Association (RMAA) ensures that we stay up to date with the latest slaughter techniques.
  • We are affiliated to the South African Halaal Authority (SANHA) for Halaal slaughtering and the National Independent Halaal Trust (NIHT) for Halaal meat product produce.
  • Our cattle feeding operation undergoes continuous maintenance throughout the year. Activities to ensure clean water and highly palatable feed to cattle, are undertaken several times a day.
  • We comply with the strict guidelines concerning feed additives and veterinary health products established by the South African Department of Agriculture. Inspections and audits are done on a regular basis to ensure legislative compliance.