HJS Condiments wins prestigious BRC certification

Hayleys Group processed fruit and vegetable exports subsidiary wins new UK customer to supply dehydrated products for cereals

Presidential Export Award winner HJS Condiments, the Hayleys Group subsidiary that is Sri Lanka’s largest exporter of processed fruit and vegetables has been awarded the prestigious and exacting British Retail Consortium (BRC) certification, the company announced last week.
The BRC standard is a requirement for companies supplying retailer-branded food products to companies in the UK, and specifies the food safety and quality criteria which must be in place within the organisation of any manufacturer supplying product to UK retailers.

The format and content of the standard is designed to allow an assessment of the supplier’s premises, operational systems and procedures by a competent third party, thus standardising food criteria and monitoring procedures. HJS Condiments has been certified as compliant with this global standard for consumer products by Efsis UK.
Commenting on this certification, HJS Condiments Managing Director Anil Wickremanayake said: “Compliance with BRC requirements will open more doors for our products and in turn benefit all stakeholders in the value chain, including farmers and our outgrowers.”

He disclosed that HJS had already negotiated with a prestigious international food company based in the UK for the supply of dehydrated products for cereals and the BRC certificate is one of their major requirements to commence the business with that company.
Under the terms of the UK Food Act of 1990, retailers in Britain require that all sectors involved with the supply of food take all reasonable precautions and exercise all due diligence in the avoidance of failure in the development, manufacture, distribution, advertising or sale of food products to the consumer. BRC certification covers all criteria of the process and products of suppliers including Food Safety measures, making it one of the most important certifications for companies like HJS, Mr. Wickremanayake explained.

An ISO 9000, ISO 14000 and HACCP certified company, HJS Condiments exports an extensive range of products to 25 countries. The company’s state-of-the-art processing plant in the Biyagama Export Processing Zone produces Gherkins, Red Bell Peppers, Jalapeño Peppers, Chillies, Silverskin Onions, Celery, Cauliflower, Baby Corn, Carrots, Pineapples, Papaya, Mango, Banana, Jack Fruits, Tamarind, and Cashew for export. The company has a network of 6,000 farmer out-growers to grow and supply these products, mainly in remote villages in agricultural districts such as Anuradhapura, Ampara, Polonnaruwa, Matale, Kurunegala, Moneragala, Badulla, Ratnapura and Puttalam.

A multiple award winner, HJS Condiments is the recipient of the Food Awards of Excellence – Gold Award (Grocery Large category) in 2001 & 2002 awarded by Sri Lanka Food Processors’ Association, the Taiki Akimoto 5S Award – Merit in 2002 & 2003, the Best Quality Circle Award – Manufacturing Sector” in 2003 awarded by the National Convention on Quality and Productivity, the National Award for Export Excellence in Processed Foods in 2003 from the Ministry of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the National Productivity Award - 1st Place, Manufacturing Sector – Medium scale in 2003, and the Sri Lanka National Quality Award – Manufacturing Sector – Medium scale in 2003 awarded by Sri Lanka Standards Institute.