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Friday Nov 15, 2024
Wednesday, 17 August 2011 00:09 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Happy Hen brand of eggs, a product of Switz Lanka Ltd., recently obtained the ISO 22000:2005 certification for its high quality food management, production and supply chain system, being the first layer farm in Sri Lanka to receive such an endorsement, according to a company spokesperson.
The company’s stringent processes and its rigorous quality control standards were examined during the audit conducted by Sri Lanka Standards Institution. Happy Hen’s concentration on Production Integration which involves feed production, egg production, manufacturing of its own packaging, and customer distribution system was an important element of the company’s ability to maintain these standards.
The production of feed is stringently controlled from the point of procuring and storing of raw materials. Finished feed is quality tested and is free of antibiotic growth promoters and any animal by-products.
The farm implements a salmonella prevention programme which includes the use of probiotics, organic acids and other items to prevent the spread of disease. Eggs are mechanically graded into sizes to ensure the customers consistently get the correct size of egg by weight.
Happy Hen eggs are packed in trays or cartons using recycled paper pulp packaging. These cartons and trays ensure excellent protection for the eggs.
Labels on the egg cartons contain information on egg size, batch information, date of production and expiry. It also contains nutritional information as in internationally recognised egg brands.
According to the Watt Poultry Statistics, a Sri Lankan on average consumes only 60 eggs per year.
This is considered very low and could only be improved by better standards in production, packaging and distribution.
To enhance customer confidence about its internal systems and quality standards Switz Lanka decided to obtain this quality accreditation.
Speaking about the achievement, Shiraz Jeevunjee, Director of Switz Lanka Ltd., elaborated on the importance of quality in the egg production process. “As we see the market escalate due to the rise of tourism, rapidly more and more consumers will demand a better quality product.”
“A big shortcoming in the market in Sri Lanka is that most eggs are consumed with little knowledge about where they were produced, what conditions they were produced under, and when they were produced.
Our system of labelling eliminates this doubt and ensures complete traceability. Our goal is to provide eggs which are packed and printed on to ensure branding, traceability, quality and freshness.”
Happy Hen eggs are available at leading groceries and super market chains and the company enjoys a strong relationship with its corporate clients including a list of hotels, bakeries and restaurants. Formed in 2007, Switz Lanka Ltd. is a BOI registered company.
