Success story: Mario’s Ice Cream
Background
Based in Carmarthenshire, Mario’s Ice Cream combines Italian heritage with the finest Welsh ingredients to produce luxury dairy ice cream, sorbets, ice cream desserts and dairy free options. The company supplies the largest independent wholesaler in Wales, supermarkets, local authorities and major foodservice customers.
Due to the growth of the business, Mario’s expanded into a second factory unit in 2023 and in recognition of their achievements were named Food Producer of the Year at the Wales Food and Drink Awards 2024.
In early 2024, Mario’s decided to begin the process of securing BRCGS Start intermediate level certification to drive further business growth. BRCGS Start intermediate level is a globally recognised food safety certification for small to medium-sized businesses that bridges the gap between SALSA and the BRCGS Global Standard.
To help Mario’s on their certification journey, ZERO2FIVE scoped a package of HELIX Programme support.
Support from ZERO2FIVE
ZERO2FIVE initially conducted a gap analysis of Mario’s food safety management systems to identify the processes and paperwork that needed to be put in place to meet the requirements of BRCGS Start.
An action plan was then put in place to mentor the Mario’s site team to implement the food safety management systems required for BRCGS Start. ZERO2FIVE supported Mario’s to update a range of procedures, including corrective actions, traceability and recalls, site security risk assessments, new product development and good manufacturing practices.
Other areas of assistance included supplier approval and performance management, setting food safety key performance indicators, and the management review of food safety. Finally, as part of the support, ZERO2FIVE delivered a bespoke food safety culture workshop and mentoring on how to develop a food safety culture plan.
Benefits of the support
Mario’s successfully passed their BRCGS Start Intermediate audit in February 2025. Securing the certification will enable the company to target a greater number of customers who require the standard.
As a result of the continued support from ZERO2FIVE through the HELIX Programme, Mario’s has safeguarded 18 jobs within the company.
Mario’s hopes to take the next step to the full BRCGS Global Standard in the next few years and with the solid foundations from BRCGS Start intermediate level in place, they are well on their way.
Riccardo Dallavalle, Director of Operations, Mario’s Ice Cream, said:
“The support from ZERO2FIVE has been vital in enabling Mario’s to secure BRCGS Start certification and as a result drive further business growth. We hope to take the next step to the full BRCGS Global Standard in the next few years and with the solid foundations from BRCGS Start intermediate level in place, we are well on our way.”
This project was delivered under Project HELIX 2016-2025. From 1st April 2025, funding has continued as the HELIX Programme.
Please get in touch to find out more about the support we can offer.
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If you’d like to find out more about how we can help your business or have any questions about the support we can offer, then please get in touch.
