Keells Super receives first-ever ‘Supermarket Management System’ SLS certificate

By Cheranka Mendis

Keells Super yesterday became the first retail chain to obtain a Certificate of Conformity from the Sri Lanka Standards (SLS) Institute for the ‘Supermarket Management System.’ This also marks the introduction of the Management System to Sri Lanka.

Awarded to Keells Super Crescat, Union Place and Rajagiriya, the certificate covers areas of environmental hygiene, hygienic production of food in production bakeries and kitchens, transport, handling and storage of foods, cleaning maintenance and personal hygiene, temperature control, pest control systems, procedures for monitoring at control points and critical limits, maintaining records pertinent to traceability of products and preventive/control measures for hazards and procedures for verification.

At the handing over ceremony of the certificates, JKH Corporate Finance, Retail and Group Strategy President Krishan Balendra announced that receiving the certificates for the three outlets marks the beginning of gaining certification for all 42 outlets under the Keells Super chain. Work in this regard has already begun and selected outlets will face necessary auditing during the week. “I am aware that no other supermarket has received such a certification. We are very proud of this feat.” Ever since Keells became one of the first super markets to hit Sri Lanka some 20 years back, opening an outlet at Liberty Plaza, they have maintained consistency in quality which has helped in building a large loyal clientele base. “This certification is seen as an impetus to further maintain high standards in all our outlets.”

The SLS approval has been granted after continued satisfactory operation of Keells Super’s Supermarket Management System. Prior to granting the Certificate which will help boost the competitiveness of the chain, the outlets that have been approved were subjected to rigorous inspection of quality and control.

SLS Institution Chairman Kanchana Ratwatte commending the high standards maintained by the retail chain noted that the occasion was a historic one for the country and that more supermarket chains will now be encouraged to join in the certification list. “We have already had inquiries by several parties interested in receiving the certification,” Ratwatte said, “work on those will start soon.”

Under the Code of Practice for the certification the supermarkets have been checked on primary production of environmental hygiene, hygienic production of food sources as well as specific requirements for primary food items that are sold at the premises such as dairy, poultry, bakery, fresh fish, frozen fish, processed meat products, tea, species, fresh fruits and vegetables, mineral water among a variety of listed items. Product handling when it comes to material requirements, storage, protection for contamination and cross contamination, stock rotation is also at its best at the Keells Super outlets.

Also checked diligently were the supermarkets structure, facility and product handling. Suitably proofed against access of pets, the structure, its layout, design, construction and size of food premises have been guarantee as clean and protected against accumulation of dirt, toxic materials and other harmful undesirables. Equipments, fittings and all articles used for handling food also get the tick off as perfect.

On the facilities itself, Keells Super outlets have been marked off as exemplary on its, cleanliness, hygiene of facilities and toilets, air quality and ventilation, lighting, temperature control, drainage and water disposal.

Personal hygiene of staffers and workers were also monitored as was the supervision and training on staff. Monitoring which includes conducting regular checks to ensure individual controls are operated satisfactorily as well as a periodic review of the system as an entirety along with proper record keeping were also checked and approved under the SLS system.

JayKay Marketing Services CEO Charitha Subasinghe acknowledged that the certification is a guarantee to customers of the stringent procedures adhered by Keells Super to ensure that the products and services offered are to an exemplary level. “We have our own collection centres in three locations which include Thambuthegama and Suriyawewa. Connected to those are over 1000 suppliers who provide fresh food items for the outlets,” he said. “Consumers can get their food items in guaranteed hygienic conditions. Food handlers, health and safety, external and internal food handling environment are main concerns of this official recognition which prevent chemical, biological and physical damages to foods,” he added.

Keells Super Head of Sourcing Nihal Senarath expressed that the certification will also boost the morale of the Keells Super team. “It is because of their dedication and commitment to quality that we have been able to be marked as the first in the field.” The certification will further encourage people to work methodically and systematically rather than implementing ad-hoc systems which would improve the quality of work and efficiency of the work force.

By adopting and implementing the Supermarket Management System standard, Keells Super stands to gain many benefits, placing emphasis on the preventive/ control measures for hazards which improve quality and safety of food items. As a result, consumers can get their food items and households without the risk of contamination. Proper management system which is also checked under the guidelines shows reduced cost associated with customer complaint, legal and regulatory compliances. It improves customer confidence on Keells Super and reduce the liability and risk for the company, Senerath said.