November 29, 2006

Purefoods receives ISO certification

The US$40 million facility owned by Philippine food conglomerate Purefoods Hormel Company in General Trias, Cavite has recently been awarded ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001: 2004 certification by the Bureau of Product Standards, proof of PHC's commitment to global standards of quality and safety of its food products PHC president Francisco Alejo III told the Manila Bulletin that the certification covers management quality and environment management standards, and an assurance to consumers threatened by the recent entry of smuggled, unsafe meats in the country.

Recently, smuggled pork and poultry products have been intercepted by the police and customs officials and this has given rise to consumer speculation that unsafe meats are already sold to wet markets and may have found their way to small food processors.

Reportedly sold at much lower prices, illegally imported meats also pose a threat to the health of consumers.

The certification were awarded to PHC after its plant passed the 3rd party audit conducted by SGS Philippines on ISO 9001, a set of global manufacturing standards, and ISO 14001, which covers environmental management procedures.

The plant, a joint venture between San Miguel Purefoods Company Inc and The Hormel Corporation of the US, is considered the most modern meat processing facility in the Philippines and in Asia

Sough to counter the dominance of expensive, imported meat products in the market, Purefoods, a purely Filipino brand born 50 years ago, has thrived over the decades because of its high-grade meat products.

The brand's winning products have also passed the strict standards of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) and are Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) certified

These include Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs, Purefoods Beefies Hotdogs, Purefoods Fiesta Ham, Jamon de Bola, Honeycured Bacon, Lean & Mean Bacon, Chunkee Corned Beef and Purefoods Corned Beef.

Leading food service industry, players have also given the brand various quality and food safety accreditation and certification.