23rd Mar.,
2001
Vitaland Becomes First Recipient
of Food Safety Certificate
Vitaland Services Limited announced today (23 March
2001) that the Company has become the first organization
in Hong Kong to be officially accredited with the HACCP
Certificate.
HACCP, or Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point, is
an internationally recognized system with a prevention-based,
proactive approach to food safety.
Good nutrition has been at the heart of Vitasoy International
Holdings' philosophy ever since its establishment 61
years ago. In 1991, the group set up Vitaland Services
Limited (or Vitaland) to provide friendly, effective,
quality and convenient tuck shop services to Hong Kong
schools.
Mr Fransis Kong, Managing Director of Vitasoy International
Holdings Ltd, said: "Vitaland Services Limited
is extremely pleased to become the first organization
in Hong Kong to be officially awarded the HACCP Certificate.
Vitaland is committed to providing high standards on
food safety and hygiene."
Mr Kong praised all staff members at Vitaland for their
efforts in securing HACCP Certification. "Management
and front-line crew as well as back-office staff devoted
a lot of time and effort to the process. But we will
not rest on our laurels now we have achieved our aim.
Vitaland recognizes that food hygiene, customer service
as well as continuous improvement are equally important.
Regular training for staff is arranged, and service
commitment is emphasized all the time."
The award of HACCP certificate is in line with the thinking
behind the recent government consultation paper on the
Inspection and Categorization of Food Establishments.
The paper emphasizes a tripartite approach to food safety
and hygiene, involving government, trade and the consumer.
HACCP, which underlines prevention rather than cure,
is an important element of this approach.
HACCP is a science-based, systematic programme with
emphasis on the control of critical points along the
food chain, followed by continuous monitoring and corrections
wherever appropriate. Its pro-active approach provides
the greatest food safety assurance. At the same time,
it enables regulatory agencies to rely less on end-product
inspection and testing. As it is applicable to every
stage of the food chain, all sectors of the community
will be involved.
Vitaland Services Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary
of Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd. It currently
operates over 100 school tuck shops, serving more than
100,000 students and teachers. It was the first organization
to break the traditional mould of school tuck shops,
which were generally family-operated without comprehensive
business management and endured lack of hygienic control
and unstable service standards.
From business management, development, product sourcing,
staff training and shop equipment to hygiene and product
variety, Vitaland has established various systems and
procedures to manage the shops effectively. Among these,
food hygiene is especially important. Another example
of the company's innovative thinking is that it was
the first retail business to accept Octopus payment,
and presently more than 60 Vitaland tuck shops have
been equipped with Octopus terminals for efficient and
convenient payment service.
At the heart of Vitaland's philosophy is that healthy
eating habits should be developed as early as possible.
-- END --
For more information, please contact:
Stella Lung
Public Relations Manager
Vitasoy International Holdings Limited
Tel: 2468 9644 Fax: 2465 1008
e-mail:pubrel@vitasoy.com
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