Dubai, March 18th 2009: Following the successful launch of aswaaq's first supermarket in Nad al Hamar in October 2008, and ambitious plan to open a further forty supermarkets in Dubai in the next five years, aswaaq has begun implementing food and safety protocols in anticipation of receiving the HACCP certification.

"As part of our commitment to safety and quality control, we are currently working at full capacity to obtain international licenses and widen our international and global recognition. Obtaining HACCP and eventually ISO 22000 certification and ensuring that every standard is maintained year in year out is our number one goal. The implementation of HACCP protocols at aswaaq will increase consumer confidence and create a more pleasant shopping experience for every customer," said aswaaq's CEO, Mr. Abdul Basset Al Janahi.

Commenting on the new food and safety regulations that are being implemented at aswaaq, MS. Ebtesam Al Khaja, aswaaq's Food Hygiene Manager said:

"HACCP certification has many advantages such as; creating an understanding of food safety amongst staff and ensuring food is prepared in a safe environment and free from bacteria. In order to get HACCP certified we will be demonstrating that food quality at aswaaq is assured at all times. We have already created a HACCP manual that will describe all food production processes as well as implemented a HACCP analysis tool to identify potential areas of risk in the production chain (critical control points) and will monitor these points on a regular basis."

To ensure that the company is HACCP certified in the shortest possible time, aswaaq has audited all supplier facilities, given system awareness and training and is doing internal audits and system reviews. In addition, staffs at aswaaq are being put through a mandatory safety and quality training.  In alignment with other management systems, e.g. ISO9001, the strategy will further generate a food safety culture by identifying, evaluating and controlling hazards that are important for food safety.

-Ends-

For more information please contact:
Hind Al-Falasi
Relations Manager - Aswaaq
Email: hind.alfalasi@aswaaq.ae
Tel: - 04 360 15 69

Husny Deyab
Media advisor
O2 PR
050 - 3110122
04 - 3122706
Husny.h@o2 pr.net

© Press Release 2009