The largest garlic grower in the UK is the latest company in the Highlands to gain a robust food safety certificate for their commitment to quality and food safety.

The Really Garlicky Company based in Nairn gained Safe and Local Supplier Approval quality assurance (SALSA) on Friday 14 December.

The food quality assurance scheme was launched in March this year as a robust but easy-to access standard for small and medium sized food manufacturers.

The Really Garlicky Company was launched in 2001 by farmers Glen and Gilli Allingham, who were looking to diversify. Six years on they are the largest garlic grower in the UK and supply 300 independent outlets across the UK as well as selected Tesco and Waitrose stores.

The company received advisory support through Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) on setting up SALSA and Glen said: "We found the help we received invaluable and it really focused our attention on taking a risk based approach to food safety management. We are now confident that we can compete against the best producers in the marketplace knowing that we have controls in place at every stage of production."

The support was part of an overall service provided by HIE to food and drink companies looking to assess the relevant food safety or quality assurance scheme, which can be accessed by contacting local HIE offices.

The scheme has encouraged growing interest from retailers and companies in buying products from smaller companies, says Mark Georgeson, HIE's senior food and drink manager. He explained: "The food and drink sector continues to show strong growth in the Highlands and Islands. Consumers now take food safety for granted when buying produce and it is vital that companies can display a recognised quality assurance scheme to potential buyers.

"The market for local food is growing, driven by issues such as sustainability, food safety, health and fine dining but there is an urgent need from suppliers and customers, for easily understood food safety management accreditation.

"HIE is delighted to be playing a role in developing this aspect of the sector and we hope that the advice offered will allow food and drink businesses in the region to capitalise on the growing market opportunity."

SALSA was developed after four food-chain organisations - National farmers' Union, Food and Drink Federation, British Hospitality Association and British Retail Consortium - recognised that although smaller food providers are being courted more and more by retailers and food service companies, their ability to meet the demands of a range of different buyers is often blighted by confusion over exactly what quality assurance level they are required to aspire to.

David Whiteford, chairman of SFQC presented the award to The Really Garlicky Company on Friday. He said: "We are delighted that the company has achieved SALSA and that this approval will enable them to be further recognised and listed by major buyers. The SALSA scheme also allows suppliers to easily access specialist advice and mentoring and the HIE support for this is invaluable."