How to apply for MeSTI certification — the A-Z blueprint
Everything a food manufacturer needs to get MeSTI certified: mandatory prerequisites, factory specifications, documentation, the free FoSIM online application, and how the audit works.
The MeSTI application itself is free via the Ministry of Health FoSIM portal. Certificate is valid for 3 years.
1
Core & mandatory prerequisites
MOH will not entertain any application without these five.
SSM company registration — legitimate, active and properly registered.
Local authority (PBT) premise license — valid business/manufacturing premise license from your municipal council.
Typhoid vaccination — strictly mandatory for everyone entering the manufacturing area. Keep a formal medical record book.
Food Handler Training (LPM) — every production employee attends the certified 3-hour course at an MOH-recognised school (SLPM).
MeSTI awareness & coaching course — for owners / plant managers / QA. Enrol via the Food Safety & Quality Division at your District Health Office (PKD).
2
Physical factory specifications
Auditors look hard at layout and infrastructure to prevent cross-contamination.
One-way workflow (zoning) — physically separate the dirty area (receiving/washing) from the clean area (processing/packaging). No backtracking.
Floors & walls — waterproof, non-slip, light-coloured, easy to sanitise. Epoxy flooring recommended; curved coving where wall meets floor.
Ceilings & lighting — smooth, waterproof ceilings; all lights in processing areas need shatterproof covers.
Pest control — UV fly catchers at entry points + a licensed scheduled pest control service. Keep all contracts and records.
Handwashing stations — hands-free (knee/foot pedal) sinks at processing zone entrances, with liquid soap and paper towels.
3
MeSTI manual & documentation
A robust paper trail proves compliance — with verifiable schedules.
Cleaning & sanitation SOPs — documented schedules; log sheets signed by staff and verified by a supervisor.
Material handling & storage — FIFO/FEFO stock records; raw materials on pallets (≥15cm from walls, ≥20cm off the floor).
Traceability system — track raw material batches → finished goods batches → which buyer received them.
Equipment maintenance — scheduled servicing logs; food-grade lubricants only for parts touching food.
Register a company account and register your premise.
Select the “MeSTI Application” module.
Fill in the data and upload: SSM, PBT license, course certificates, factory layout plan.
Submit for review.
5
Audit & approval
Field audit — PKD officers inspect the plant and your MeSTI documentation.
NCR — a Non-Conformance Report is issued for any shortcomings.
Corrective action — typically 14–30 days to fix issues; submit photo evidence.
Certification — on satisfactory compliance, the MeSTI certificate is awarded (valid 3 years).
★Pro tips (save yourself months)
Consult before renovating — show your draft layout to the local PKD officer before major works. Their input prevents costly structural mistakes.
No wood, no glass — in processing zones, replace wooden/glass items with food-grade plastic or stainless steel.
Label everything — waste bins (dry vs wet), sinks (hands vs equipment), storage racks, raw material containers.
Got the cert? Don't lose it at the next audit.
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