Global FMCG leader says food safety standards must improve

Kraft Foods, one of the world's largest multinational food companies says that the sharing of global best practices, scientific insights and industry know-how is paramount in developing a more cohesive and robust global food safety control system.

Kraft Foods will shed the light on its worldwide approach to systematic management of product safety and quality, referred to as the Quality Chain Management System (QCMS), at the Dubai International Food Safety Conference 2009 between 24th to the 26th February. Its experts will share critical knowledge on requirements for effective food traceability and incident management, as well as effective shelf life evaluation of consumer goods.

"For more than 100 years, Kraft Foods has been dedicated to providing delicious, quality and reliable food for people around the world. Hundreds of millions of times a day in over 150 countries, consumers reach for their favorite Kraft Brands such as Tang, Oreo, Toblerone or Philadelphia. With so much vested in our consumers, Kraft Foods has invested heavily in developing a food safety system that not only protects the consumer but also our business viability", says Patrick Satamian, Vice-President and Area Director, Kraft Foods, Middle East & Africa.

"Safe food is the consumers' prerogative. As global leaders in the food industry, it is vital that we practice transparency and share our best practice methods and insights, so that other smaller players in the industry can learn from our cumulative strengths, experiences and expertise. Food safety control systems must be able to adapt to the 21st century in order to be effective in managing crises".

"For example, in the event of product recalls, there must first be an effective system to trace those products. All Kraft Foods manufacturing facilities, including the state-of-the-art manufacturing plant that was opened in Bahrain last year to cater to the Middle East region, have effective traceability programmes that apply to all finished products and components, including ingredients and packaging materials. Annual assessments are carried out with the goal of 100% traceability within 24 hours."

"Shelf-life evaluation and management is also fundamental to the food safety equation as the quality, nutritional value and commercial stability of food products cannot be compromised. As such we believe in applying an upstream focus, with strong supplier collaboration throughout the business value chain."

"As we continue to expand our business in the Middle East & Africa region, Kraft Foods is proud to collaborate with other global leaders in the food industry to contribute to this important dialogue on the future of food safety development in this region,"

adds Satamian.

Kraft Foods Middle East and Africa currently operates seven manufacturing facilities across the region that produce a variety of Kraft products. It also has joint venture, contract manufacturing and license agreements in Morocco, Tunisia, Pakistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and South Africa.

In addition to Tang, Oreo, Ritz crackers and Kraft cheeses, the company markets a broad portfolio of iconic brands including Oscar Mayer meats; Philadelphia cream cheese; Maxwell House coffee; Nabisco cookies and crackers; Jacobs coffees, Toblerone and Milka chocolates and LU biscuits.