Masafi wins top certification

Masafi received the certification after its products and facilities were subjected to thorough examination and inspection by a NSF team, which checked the quality, hygiene, product testing procedures and environmental protection practices followed by the UAE company. The NSF achievement is in addition to ISO 9001: 2000 and HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) certifications that were awarded to Masafi. The company is also a member of International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) and Asia Bottled Water Association (ABWA).

Mr. Mohsen Sherra, General Manager of the state-of-the-art Masafi factory in Ras Al Khaimah, said: "As the leading producer of bottled mineral water in the UAE and Gulf, Masafi is proud to have again won international recognition for producing quality and safe products. The NSF Certification will reassure and give more confidence to our consumers that they are buying unadulterated, sanitary products".

NSF International, which is based in the United States, was founded in 1944 as the National Sanitation Foundation. It is recognized worldwide for the development of voluntary consensus standards and certification services in the areas of public health and the environment. NSF International, carries out annual surprise audits on behalf of International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) on bottled water companies who are members of IBWA.

The internationally recognized NSF certifications are accredited by the American National Standards Institute in the United States, the Standards Council of Canada and the Dutch Accreditation Council for the European Community. The World Health Organisation has designated NSF International as a Collaborating Centre for Drinking Water Safety and Treatment.

Mr. Sherra added: "The NSF Certification demonstrates Masafi's commitment to providing the highest quality bottled water possible and shows how serious we dedicate ourselves to meeting international standards. In addition to producing safe drinking water our eco-friendly PET packaging reflects the kind of environmental safeguards that we have taken. The important fact about NSF Certification is that all our products and practices will come under periodic inspection and tests by a NSF team".

To maintain its NSF Certification, Masafi is required to comply with more than 50 individual policies governing every aspect of the bottler's programme, from testing and advertising to NSF enforcement actions. The NSF mark tells consumers that the certified water products are inspected and tested each year to assure ongoing conformity to the regulations.

Masafi has achieved and maintained standards for quality through a number of measures including water analysis, chemical and microbiological tests carried out at its technically advanced laboratory and analysis of the water by experts in Germany, France and United States in accordance with US, EEC, German and French standards. Every employee of Masafi is also committed to help maintaining the best manufacturing and house-keeping practices.

ends