British Sandwich Association


The British Sandwich Association was founded in January 1990 and is based in Chepstow.
The aim of the organization is to improve the sandwich industry by setting standards and rewarding excellent sandwich manufacturers and retailers in the annual Sammies. The BSA is run non-commercially on behalf of its members by J&M Group, Ltd. This same group also runs various other organisations similar to the BSA such as the Pizza Pasta & Italian Food Society.

Aims

As the voice of the British sandwich industry, the primary aims of The British Sandwich Association are:
To safeguard the integrity of the sandwich industry by setting technical standards for sandwich making and by encouraging improvement in the industry.
To promote excellence and innovation in sandwich making.
To provide a source of information for the industry.
To promote the consumption of sandwiches.
To provide a collective voice for all those involved in making, distributing and retailing sandwiches and to represent the views of the industry.

Structure

The association is a non-commercial organisation run on behalf of its members by Food Events & Things Ltd. which is commercially responsible for all the activities undertaken by the British Sandwich Association. Food Events & Things also runs other similar organisations, including the Pizza Pasta & Italian Food Association, The International Sandwich Association and The Café Society.

Management

The policy body responsible for guiding the association is the Management Committee, which comprises a balanced group of full members of the association who are elected each year. In addition to the chair and vice-chair, who can come from any sector of the organisation, the committee includes up to two manufacturers, two retailers, one sandwich bar chain, two independent sandwich bar operators, two retail bakers, two caterers, two suppliers and a representative from the van sales/distribution sector.

Membership

Full membership of the association is open to any organisation involved in the sandwich industry – including retailers, suppliers, sandwich bars, manufacturers etc. – provided that they can prove that they at least match the minimum standards required by the association in its Codes of Practice. In the case of manufacturers and high risk suppliers, the association requires that its own auditor inspects the production facilities and systems of the organisation.
In the case of lower risk suppliers, evidence of appropriate standards from a recognised independent source may, in some cases, suffice.
Retail members of the association must have a rating under the Food Standards Agency Food Hygiene Rating Scheme of at least three.
Only full members of the association are permitted to call themselves ‘Members’ or to use the BSA symbol. Those who simply want to have access to the information resources of the association, without the benefits of full membership, can become Subscribers to International Sandwich & Snack News Information Services. However, they must not call themselves members, use the BSA symbol or in any way infer or pass themselves off as Members.

Auditing, Technical Support Services & Code of Practice

The association provides a wide range of technical support services to members. These include:
Codes of Practice have been established for all sectors of the industry, including manufacturing, retailing and sandwich bar operation. There are also guidelines for sandwich vending and for mobile catering which have been put together with the Automatic Vending Association and the Mobile and Outside Catering Association. The standards set by the BSA are now widely acknowledged as the minimums required for safe sandwich making and form part of the ‘Food Industry Guide to Good Hygiene Practice; Sandwich Manufacturing’ produced with the Food Standards Agency and published by the Stationery Office.
Technical Audits As part of its membership scheme, the association’s auditor visits sandwich manufacturers and high risk suppliers on a regular basis to ensure that they continue to comply with the BSA standards set out in its Codes of Practice. One of the features of the BSA audit is its consistency, with the same auditor visiting all manufacturers and suppliers. In the case of sandwich bars the association looks for evidence of good standards via the Food Standards Agency Food Hygiene Rating Scheme but may also seek confirmation by way of an independent report confirming compliance with the BSA standards.
Consultancy, Advice and Assistance Through the association, members have access to a large resource of information and assistance. Each year hundreds of calls are made to the association from people seeking advice and help on anything from where to obtain particular products to issues relating to health and safety or VAT. In addition, the association provides full members with free access to a 24-hour legal help-line service staffed by solicitors.
Technical Group As well as the provision of specific services, the association has an active Technical Group which meets regularly to discuss and consider issues affecting the industry. Any members can attend meetings of the Group.

Publications

A number of sandwich industry publications are produced in association with the British Sandwich Association. These include:
International Sandwich & Snack News magazine, launched in November 1990, is published six times a year. While the magazine supports the association and its members, particularly through the exclusive member index to suppliers at the back of the publication, it is independently published and does not necessarily always reflect the views of the association. International Sandwich & Snack News provides sandwich makers, retailers and others with up-to-date information and advice on everything from legislation and good practice to recipes. Copies of the magazine are free to members.
Ebulletins are issued regularly to provide up-to-date information about the activities of the association and issues affecting members. The bulletins are circulated exclusively to full members of the association with the aim of giving them advance warning of events as well as information about new legislation etc.
International Sandwich & Snack News Directory is published annually and provides a comprehensive list of suppliers and manufacturers to the industry.
A new consumer on-line magazine is to be launched in March 2012.