Raw material intake
Incoming fish and other materials are checked against the applicable specification before production begins.
Quality in Engure
Seafood Quality
Built Into Every Step
At SIA Unda in Engure, the Diplomats quality-control system connects raw-material selection, laboratory testing, food safety and documented release.
Quality philosophy
Quality philosophy, practised every day.
SIA Unda is the Latvian seafood manufacturer behind Diplomats. Seafood production began at the Engure site in 1907, and production knowledge has continued to develop in the same place.
Equipment, laboratory control and documented decisions support human judgement throughout production. Quality is a working discipline, not a final claim.
Read the company storyQuality through every step
Quality through
every step.
Eight connected controls link raw-material intake with food safety, packaging, traceability and release for the customer.
Selection
Experienced specialists assess the raw material and prepare it for the product and format being made.
Laboratory control
Microbiological, physical and chemical indicators are analysed in-house or by recognised external laboratories.
Preparation
Documented recipes and process controls guide preparation while skilled hands protect the character of the fish.
Smoking and cooking
Time, temperature and the applicable production method are controlled for the product being prepared.
Filling and sealing
Product format, fill and closure are checked as each batch moves through the line.
Packing
Labels, packaging and batch information complete the documented product identity.
Release and export
Finished products are released against the required controls and prepared for customers in Latvia and international markets.
Laboratory testing
Laboratory testing behind every decision.
The SIA Unda laboratory has supported everyday seafood quality control since 1973. It analyses microbiological, physical and chemical indicators relevant to raw materials, production and finished products.
When a test cannot be completed in-house, it is assigned to a recognised external laboratory. The purpose is practical: reliable decisions, documented results and food-safety evidence for customers.
- 1973
- Laboratory work begins
- 1998
- HACCP implemented
- 2019
- Latest laboratory modernisation
Certifications
Certifications with clear scope.
HACCP, IFS Food, MSC and FDA facility registration are described carefully. Current validity and scope must always be checked against the applicable certificate or programme.
HACCP
A systematic food-safety framework for identifying, controlling and documenting relevant hazards throughout production.
For customers: defined controls are built into the process, rather than left to final inspection.
IFS Food
An audited food-safety and quality-management standard used by retailers and food businesses internationally.
For customers: an independent audit examines how the quality and food-safety system works in practice.
MSC
Where MSC supports a sustainability claim, certification applies only to products and supply chains within the confirmed certification scope.
For customers: the mark is used only where the applicable product and chain of custody are covered.
FDA
The facility maintains the registration required for applicable commercial activity involving products supplied to the United States.
For customers: US-market requirements are addressed within the relevant product and supply programme. Registration is not an FDA approval or endorsement.
Export quality
Export quality for different market requirements.
Retail, private-label and foodservice customers bring different specifications, formats and regulatory requirements. The documented quality system lets each export programme be assessed without losing control of the product.
Quality by the numbers
Dates with documented meaning.
- 1907
- Seafood production begins at the Engure site.
- 1973
- The company laboratory begins its work.
- 1998
- HACCP formalises food-safety control.
- 2010
- SIA Unda receives its first IFS certification.
Traceability
Traceability from material to batch.
Approved supply
Supplier and material requirements are defined for the product and programme.
Controlled intake
Incoming materials are checked before they enter the applicable production process.
Documented production
Batch and process records connect production decisions with the finished product.
Identified release
Packaging and batch information support traceability after the product leaves Engure.
Quality through people
Quality through people.
Procedures create consistency. Experienced people still have to observe the material, recognise variation and make responsible decisions within those controls.
At Engure, production knowledge and laboratory evidence work together. That balance gives the quality system its practical value.
Meet the thinking behind the processQuality in every can
What the system means at the table.
Selected raw materials
Materials assessed for the exact product being made.
Laboratory control
Relevant indicators checked through defined monitoring and testing.
Skilled preparation
Experienced people working within documented production controls.
Consistent identity
The product, packaging and batch remain connected through release.
Questions, answered clearly
Frequently asked questions about quality and food safety.
01How does Diplomats ensure seafood quality?+
Quality control begins with raw-material intake and continues through preparation, production, filling, packaging and final release. Each product follows its applicable specification and documented process.
02How are products tested?+
The company laboratory analyses microbiological, physical and chemical indicators. Tests that cannot be completed in-house are carried out by recognised external laboratories.
03When did the laboratory begin operating?+
The laboratory began its work in 1973. HACCP was implemented in 1998, and the laboratory was most recently modernised in 2019.
04Which quality certifications does Diplomats hold?+
The quality and food-safety system includes HACCP and IFS Food. MSC applies only to products and supply chains within confirmed scope. The facility maintains the registration required for applicable US commercial activity; FDA registration is not product approval or endorsement. Current certificates and scope details are available from the Diplomats team.
05How is raw material selected?+
Incoming fish and other materials are checked against the applicable product and supplier requirements. Experienced specialists also assess the characteristics relevant to the product being prepared.
06Can products be traced?+
Batch information, production records and packaging identification support traceability through the documented quality system. Exact documentation requirements depend on the product and customer programme.
07How often is laboratory testing performed?+
Testing is part of everyday quality control and follows the applicable product, process and monitoring plan. The precise frequency depends on the material, product and required test.
08Can business customers receive current certificates?+
Yes. Current certificate files, validity information and applicable scope can be requested directly from the Diplomats quality or commercial team.
A partner in Engure
Looking for a manufacturing partner you can trust?
Discuss your market, product requirements and quality documentation with the Diplomats team.