Nutri-Asia puts premium on food safety and quality

MANILA, Philippines - Nutri-Asia Inc. will open its factory next year to guided tours to show that the country’s largest condiments company operates at par with the world’s best.

“We were among the first to embrace world-class food safety and quality standards to ensure that our customers get only the safest and best products,” said Angie Flaminiano, Nutri-Asia president and chief operating officer.

“We know that Nutri-Asia products are being used on a daily basis by Filipinos of all walks of life.  We take our everyday participation in their meals very seriously as a big responsibility to provide the best quality product for them,” she added.

Nutri-Asia produces and distributes the popular brands Datu Puti (white and cane vinegar, soy, fish and oyster sauce), UFC (tomato, spaghetti and hot sauce, banana catsup, and sinigang mix), Mang Tomas, Jufran (banana catsup, sweet chilli and hot sauce), Papa, Golden Fiesta and Hapi Fiesta (cooking oil).  It also markets sweet preserves and noodle products.

Its factories in Marilao, Bulacan and Cabuyao, Laguna have both received the Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) from SGS Philippines, part of the world’s largest independent certification company.

In the Philippines, Nutri-Asia is the first and only branded condiments company that is FSSC-certified, signifying its compliance with systems that are legal, safe and efficient.

FSSC 22000 is the latest and the most stringent food certification scheme to date. This stamp of safety and efficiency is important in light of the proliferation of cheaper but sub-standard condiments and sauces in the market which could be unsafe for consumers.

Nutri-Asia also has factories in Cebu and Davao, which, like its plants in Luzon, are certified by the Food and Drug Administration. They also have halal certifications. The company is now working to further raise the standards and systems for its factories and is preparing to have all its product lines certified by 2014.

Nutri-Asia has a policy to regularly review, improve and innovate products and services and comply with statutory requirements. It is building a culture of quality and food safety across all aspects of its operations and wants its business partners in the integrated supply chain to adopt equally stringent standards.