Mohammed Al Jomaih: "Purity and high quality are our main priorities and this certificate confirms Aquafina as a leading brand in the Saudi market."

Jeddah, 12 May 2011: At a press conference and media tour of its bottling plant in Riyadh, Al Jomaih, the bottler of PepsiCo products including Aquafina, announced that that its plants in Riyadh and Qassim have received ISO (International Organization for Standardization) Certificate 22000:2005, which covers food safety management including manufacturing, bottling, storing and distributing carbonated soft drinks and bottled water.

Speaking at the press conference, Mr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al Jomaih, Assistant General Manager of Al Jomaih Bottling Plants, said: "Receipt of the ISO 22000:2005 Certificate (Management of Food Security) from the British NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) is assurance that the Aquafina plants are consistent with the technical regulations and international quality standards for manufacturing and bottling water."

He went on to say: "Purity and high quality are our main priority and we have been awarded the ISO certificate after ensuring our factories are in full compliance with the international standards and conditions that are adopted by the international CMI organization for bottling Aquafina waters.  This certificate is an honor we highly appreciate since it confirms Aquafina as a leading brand in the Saudi market."

Adding his comments on the ISO award, Mr. Bassam Ali Alsadik, Franchise Manager - Saudi Arabia at PepsiCo GCC BU, said: "We congratulate our partners at Al Jomaih Bottling Plants on receiving ISO certification, which is globally accepted recognition for the highest standards of food and drinks safety. The purity of Aquafina water is guaranteed and this merit is clear authentication for the Hydro 7 purification process used in producing Aquafina bottled water."

The ISO certificate is a continuation of Al Jomaih Bottling Plants achievements and follows the award in 2009 of the quality mark from Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO) after passing all the quality tests and receiving the SASO Seal of Approval.

PepsiCo has historic and strategic relationships with Al Jomaih in a long-lasting partnership that enables them to consistently ensure the purity and quality of Aquafina and maintain the brand's popular appeal.

-Ends-

About PepsiCo:
PepsiCo is one of the world's premier consumer products companies focused on convenience foods and beverages. With a presence in the GCC dating back more than 50 years, PepsiCo today operates through a network of ten local bottlers, producing and marketing products which include Pepsi Cola, Mirinda, 7UP, Mountain Dew, Tropicana, Aquafina and Bario.

For more information please contact:
Saeed Al Amoudi
TRACCS Public Relations
Tel: +966 2 662 5757
Fax: +966 2 639 9540
Email:  saeed.alamoudi@traccs.net

© Press Release 2011