ATCHISON, KANSAS, U.S. — For the sixth time in as many years, MGP Ingredients has achieved a Grade AA rating following the British Consortium (BRC) audit of the company’s wheat protein and starch facility in Atchison, Kansas, U.S. It is the BRC’s highest food and beverage safety rating, which previously was measured on a scale with a maximum score of Grade A.

This latest audit, conducted in the spring, resulted in no non-conformances based on the BRC’s stringent ratings standards. A total of 256 items are included in the annual auditing process.


“Finishing an audit with no non-conformances is a rare achievement,” said David Whitmer, corporate director of quality. “With multiple buildings, processing equipment and package types included, the BRC audit of food ingredients is rigorous and complex. Nearly every one of our protein and starch customers requests a copy of MGP’s BRC Certificate, and it further strengthens their confidence to see the ‘Grade AA’ listed on the certificate. All of our employees can feel extremely proud of the outcome of this year’s audit, as well as past audits.”

In March 2016, MGP’s Lawrenceburg, Indiana, U.S., distillery had its annual BRC audit and also achieved a Grade AA rating. The company’s Atchison distillery BRC audit is scheduled to occur in October.

The BRC food and beverage safety audit is an approved standard under the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). The GFSI benchmarks food and beverage safety standards for third-party audits that can be conducted and recognized worldwide.