Implementation of BRCGS (British Retail Consortium, V9) global standard in frozen fish processing facility

Today, food safety has become not only a national but also an international necessity. With the increasing demand for processed seafood in global markets, consumer expectations regarding quality and safety have also risen significantly. Especially seafood processing facilities struggle to remain competitive unless they produce in accordance with international standards. These developments have encouraged producers to adopt and implement internationally recognized food safety standards such as the Brand Reputation Through Compliance Global Standard (BRCGS). Although Türkiye is rich in seafood resources, it still has room for improvement in terms of applying and maintaining quality standards. This thesis aims to support such development. The study was conducted in a seafood processing facility built on 7,116 m² of land, with a 2,180 m² enclosed area, specializing in Fresh and Frozen Fishery Products. The facility has a daily processing capacity of 45 tons and a freezing capacity of 80 tons. Initially operating with 14 employees, the number increased to 140 through seasonal recruitment. The study covers the entire production process starting from raw material intake to hygiene practices, quality control procedures, storage, and shipping conditions. Deficiencies in quality standards were observed on-site and transformed into an academic study. Additionally, the current situation of the facility was evaluated, shortcomings were identified, and solution proposals were presented. Observation and document review methods were chosen, as quality standards are largely related to the implementation and consistency of documented processes. Within the scope of BRCGS's 9 fundamental clauses and 12 key requirements, a detailed analysis was conducted, resulting in the preparation of 22 procedures, 18 work instructions, 8 plans, 17 forms, 5 lists, and various supplementary documents — totaling 84 documents. Through on-site inspections, both the documentation and the actual implementation of processes were evaluated, and the facility's compliance with international standards was determined.