Kipuka Mills has announced it successfully earned Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification for its Roasted Macadamia Flour, Macadamia Nut Oil, Macadamia Nut Butter and Macapan products, becoming only the twelfth company in Hawai’i to achieve the industry certification.  

SQF certification allows food safety and quality systems to be verified and validated throughout the food chain using an independent verification that complies with international standards and assures that food has been produced, prepared and handled according to the most recognized standards.

With the SQF certification, the company looks to expand its sales opportunities in the retail and B2B ingredient channels, as the certification is a requirement to supply manufactures in the bakery, desserts and snack categories.  

“It has been our dream to continue to move the Hawai’ian food movement forward with our efforts,” says Kipuka Mills founder Maria Short. “The pandemic slowed our debut, but it did not stop us. We now need our local chefs, manufacturers and Hawai’ian residents to support us in our goal to keep Kipuka Mills in Hilo so we can continue to create jobs and support our local farmers.”

The company will seek an additional SQF certification later this year for its Okinawan Sweet Potato Flour product. The potatoes are 100 percent sourced from Hilo farmers.