Award recognizes the farms' ability to control food safety hazards and ensure food safety

Al Ain, September 6th 2009: Al Ain Farms for Livestock Production, the first established dairy in UAE and a leading producer of dairy products, has been awarded the ISO 22000:2005 certificate for its ability to demonstrate its ability to control food safety hazards.

In order to be awarded ISO, Al Ain Farms for Livestock Production had to plan, implement, operate, maintain and update a Food Safety Management System, demonstrate compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory food safety requirements, evaluate and assess customer requirements, effectively communicate food safety issues to their suppliers, customers and relevant interested parties in the food chain, ensure that the organization conforms to its stated food safety policy and demonstrate such conformity to relevant interested parties.

Commenting on the recent ISO certification, Mr. Abdullah Saif Saeed Al Darmaki CEO, Al Ain Farms for Livestock Production said:

"By certifying our Food Safety management system against the requirements of ISO we now comply with Codex HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) principles.  For Al Ain Farms for Livestock Production, this means a system approach rather than product approach, better planning and improved documentation. This will enable us to easily indentify food safety hazards and implement control measures."

In addition to ISO 22000, Al Ain Farms for Livestock Production was also eligible for the PAS 220 Food Safety Certificate, which provides proof of best proactive for prerequisite programmes on food safety for food manufacturing. Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 220:2008 is a standard which specifies requirements for prerequisite programmes to assist in controlling food safety risks within the manufacturing processes of international food supply chains.

In order to secure the ISO certificate, Al Ain Farms for Livestock Production has to pass various tests and examinations.  A Food Safety Team was developed and was responsible for planning and executing the Food Safety Management System requirements with the following scope of: Manufacturing and distributing Dairy & Juice products, manufacturing products under Private Labeling/ Brand Name and Rearing Healthy Cattle and Camels for Production of whole fresh clean lacteal secretion, which is practically free from Colostrum or mastitic milk. The Produced milk is chilled immediately, stored in insulated tanks and transported to the Dairy Plant.

Al Ain Farms for Livestock Production also prepared an "Integrated Management System (IMS) Manual" which deals with the integrated systems of QMS ISO 9001:2008 (Quality Management System) and FSMS ISO 22000:2005 (Food Safety Management System). This manual describes the Integrated Management System based on the requirements of ISO 9001:2008 & ISO 22000:2005, which have been established, implemented and maintained at Al Ain Farms for Live Stock Production. It also explains the main control mechanisms used in the pursuit of customer satisfaction, food safety and continual improvement.

"To ensure compliance with ISO we also gave Training to the personnel employed by the company on the methods of achieving quality and food safety, provided a reference base against which the adequacy of current practices can be Judged and improvements initiated, established the company directive one quality and food safety and committed on ensuring of the continuity of processes, operations and methods," added Al Darmaki.

In addition, Al Ain Farms for Livestock Production had to go through many other processes such as establishing, implementing and maintaining effective arrangements for communications with various stakeholders, establishing an emergency response plan, managing resources, planning of product realization and defining Supplies Management and Control Process.

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About Al Ain Farms for Livestock Production:
Established in the UAE in 1981, Al Ain Farms for Livestock Production is considered today as the pioneer in the UAE's dairy farm industry. Having heavily invested in its production phases and owning three cow farms, one camel farm and one poultry farm, the company has developed its technological and medical approach to guarantee top quality 100% healthy dairy products.  Worldwide technology including high speed packaging machines, accurate bacteria testing machines and well equipped labs, has been a key factor in positioning Al Ain Farms for Livestock Production as a first choice for customers in the competitive market. Throughout all aspects of its operations, Al Ain Farms for Livestock Production strives for total excellence and quality management in manufacturing the highest quality local dairy products. From gaining HACCP certification in recognition of meeting the highest international standards of product hygiene and safety, to implementing a comprehensive corporate social responsibility program, Al Ain Farms for Livestock Production is committed to inspiring the highest levels of consumer confidence in its products and services.

For further information, please contact
Maan Dalghan
PR Account Manager
O2 Public Relations
Mobile: +971 050-4735351
Phone: +971 43122777 
Fax: +971 43122788
Email: maan.d@o2pr.net

© Press Release 2009