Awards & product assurance
Helping you thrive through continuous, award-winning innovation
We work with our customers, chefs, suppliers, and product development experts to bring you an exciting programme of new product launches throughout the year, helping keep your menus relevant and fresh.
Our commitment to innovation is recognised by the industry and backed up by numerous awards, so you can be confident in our products’ taste and quality alongside the reassurance of a safe, robust and reliable supply chain.
Quality food award winners
Brakes once again picked up the coveted Foodservice Operator of the Year award, adding to last year’s success when it received the same recognition plus 18 Quality Food Awards.
The Quality Food Awards are one of the UK’s leading food competitions, and products from Brakes and Fresh Direct stood out this year. Between them, they earned three golds across the meat, dairy & deli and free from categories, along with seven silver and eight bronze awards.
Cash & Carry Management Awards
Brakes set the standard as it took home 15 awards at the Cash & Carry Management Own Label Awards, including three ‘Best of the Best’ awards and the overall star of the show for its [Sysco Gluten Free Granary Bread & Roll Mix.](https://www.brake.co.uk/dry-store/baking-mixes-ingredients/flour/speciality-flour/sysco-classic-gluten-free-granary-bread-roll-mix/p/152993?term=Sysco Gluten Free Granary Bread & Roll Mix.)
The Grocer Gold Award Winner
Brakes has won the prestigious Grocer Gold National Wholesaler of the Year award!
Independent technical assurance
Many of our products are also accredited by the UK’s leading independent assurance schemes for environmental management, community engagement and product quality, welfare and provenance.
You can therefore be confident you’re buying safe, consistent, technically compliant products – and safeguarding your customers, your business and your reputation.
Environmental management
Community
Quality, welfare & provenance
Product Assurance
Quality Management System
Brakes (part of Sysco) manages product quality and safety assurance through a fully documented Quality Management System covering product sourcing, packaging, labelling, testing, receipt, storage and distribution of all products.
Certifications and Standards
Brakes (part of Sysco) has achieved certification against the BRCGS ‘Global Standard for Food Storage and Distribution’ and applies the principles of HACCP Food Safety Management throughout its operation - from source of supply to final delivery to customers. Brakes also holds certification against the following standards: ‘Organic’, ‘Red Tractor Farm Assurance’, ‘LEAF’, ‘Freedom Foods’, and ‘Marine Stewardship Council’. Please find all related downloads below for your referencing.
Supplier Approval
All manufacturing suppliers of Brakes and Sysco own brand food products either hold certification to the ‘BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety’ (or an equivalent standard) or are formally approved by our own Technical Managers. Similar approval requirements are in place for suppliers of our own brand of non-food products.
Product Development and Standards
All Brakes and Sysco brand products are developed by our Product Development team and produced to formally agreed specifications, which include strict microbiological, chemical and integrity standards, as well as ingredient origin and traceability information ensuring conformance to our strict quality standards.
Quality Testing and Surveillance
Accredited laboratories are used by our suppliers to carry out analytical and microbiological checks on our products. We also conduct our own surveillance testing after products have been through the distribution chain to verify that they meet legal, quality and safety standards.
Product Labelling and Information
Our products are labelled with the information that helps our customers store and handle products in the correct manner and include detailed cooking instructions as well as food safety tips on those foods deemed to carry a higher risk. We also provide guidance for customers on good hygiene and food safety practices, such as in our Care Home food guide that details the 4 ‘C’s: cooking, chilling, cleaning, and cross-contamination avoidance.
Distribution and Storage
All Brakes and Sysco Distribution, Storage and Delivery operations in the UK are regularly assessed by a team of Distribution Quality Managers, using the principles and practices of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), to ensure our rigorous standards are maintained. All products are stored at optimum temperatures within ambient, chilled (below 5°C) or frozen (below -18°C) warehouses and are delivered in a business-owned modern fleet of purpose-built vehicles.
Customer Complaints and Product Recall
We maintain a comprehensive system for logging customer complaints. Members of the technical team assess all quality and other serious complaint information within 24 hours of receipt so that appropriate corrective actions can be taken. Brakes and Sysco also has a tried and tested system for isolating and recall/withdrawal of any non-conforming products.