Three-fold quality endorsement for CBL Foods International

ISO 22000:2005, HACCP and GMP certificates  which are considered as the key most important endorsements of ensuring food safety standards of the food processing industry were recently conferred to CBL Foods International (Pvt) Ltd. CBL Foods is the custodian of three of Sri Lanka’s premier confectionery brands, Ritzbury chocolates, Tiara cakes and Go Jelly.

This is also the first occasion in Sri Lanka where a chocolate and cake manufacturer has won all these three awards simultaneously from the Geneva based International Organisation for Standards (ISO) through Sri Lanka Standard Institution.

A subsidiary of Ceylon Biscuits Limited, CBL Foods International (Pvt) Ltd, since its inception in 2002 has been specialising in the production of a variety of confectionery, chocolates and bakery items such as cakes, coated biscuits and wafers in a state-of-the-art facility in Ranala.

The company from its inception has been committed to mobilising appropriate resources in developing its manufacturing practices, R&D functions, quality, health and safety standards and human resources.

Commenting on the impact the certificates would have on the company and the country’s confectionery industry,  CBL Foods International (PVT) Ltd. Managing Director Susantha Gunawardena said, “These quality endorsements will definitely boost our international trade opportunities tremendously and will help us to compete with strong global brands, as these are internationally accepted certifications. The build-up process towards certification has given us exceptional cost advantages, minimised wastage levels and neutralised risks.

These benefits when applied together with good trade practices will definitely give us a distinct advantage against competitors.”

Gunawardena also stated that corporate entities gaining such accolades in emerging economies such as ours, will boost the image of the country’s corporate and help propel it to the international arena more dexterously.

CBL Foods International (PVT) Ltd. Quality Assurance Manager H.L.A. Wanigasekera commenting on the process of obtaining these certificates said, “When an organisation applies for ISO certification in food safety, it needs to comply with their stringent quality and safety parameters. The entire workforce including the management should be aligned according to guidelines laid down by the certifying body. Very strict food safety standards should be maintained from the point of raw material purchase until the product is dispatched to the consumer. Critical assessments need to be carried out to identify and eliminate risks and hazards.”

According to Mr. Gunawardena, Ritzbury chocolates which is the flagship brand of CBL Foods International is in a distinctly advantageous position now to expand its reach and brand width both in local and global terms as a result of these certifications.  Ritzbury chocolates and Tiara cakes won 05 awards at the recently concluded SLIM Brand Excellence Awards ceremony of which Ritzbury won the gold for the Best Local Brand.