Choithrams is now HACCP certified

Dubai-based grocery chain Choithrams has received a certification for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) standard awarded by the British Standards Institution (BSI).

The certificate was presented by Theuns Kotze, managing director, BSI Middle East and Africa, to Rajiv Warrier, CEO, Choithrams, during a brief ceremony held at the latter’s Green Community outlet.

“At Choithrams, we are continuously working on attaining the best and highest standards for all our outlets. Our teams concentrate on compliance and maintain the best practices in food safety. This is our way of giving back for the faith our customers have in us,” said Warrier.

“Food safety is not an option but a requirement to keep customers happy, safe and maintain and improve the market share,” he added.

“Staying committed to providing one and all the best and safest food products reflect Choithrams’ continuous efforts to maintain operational excellence and customer satisfaction,” said Kotze.

The HACCP certification confirms the compliance of all 40 stores of Choithrams across the UAE to be meeting international standards on quality and food safety.

HACCP is a risk management tool, which provides a more structured, approach to the control of identified hazards than that achievable by traditional inspection and quality control procedures. It has achieved both national and international recognition as the most cost-effective means of controlling foodborne diseases, with the HACCP principles. The most significant benefit of implementing a HACCP and the prerequisite programmes like good manufacturing practices, sanitation standard procedures and good personal hygiene practice is food safety.

As the introduction of food safety hazards can occur at any stage of the food processing, i.e., from farm to plate, adequate control in the food chain is essential.