The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has designed a system of getting feedback information from consumers of various food products to ensure that Nigeria manufacturing companies do not compromise the standards of their products.
The aim is geared towards ensuring that the International Standards Organisation (ISO) Certificate of companies that do not strictly adhere to maintaining high standards are withdrawn. The Director-General of SON, Osita Aboloma, who disclosed this yesterday, said: “The system having been certified has been placed on annual surveillance audits to track effectiveness.”
Aboloma spoke at the presentation of ISO Certificate to Rite Foods Limited, a manufacturing company, based in Ososa, Ijebu-Ode Local Government area of Ogun State. The Company manufactures sausage rolls, beverage drinks, and table water.
Aboloma who spoke through Mrs Mojisola Kehinde, Director of Laboratory Services, said: “In the course of the audit exercises, where non- conformances are observed and are corrected within a specific time, the system will retain the certificate.”He, however, stressed that the certificate would be withdrawn if the structures in place for certification broke down and necessary corrective actions were not taken or observed non-performance.
He told the management of Rite Foods, “Being one of the very few certified in your industrial segment in Nigeria, your biggest challenge in this endless journey of excellence is to direct your efforts towards the consistent production of quality products.”
Aboloma, who commended the company for producing high-quality products, said the presentation of the Certificate gave customers the assurance of its ability to consistently provide quality products.
“This milestone achievement in the pursuit of quality products and service delivery is commendable and worthy of emulation,” he affirmed. He then urged other public and private organisations that are “yet to embark on this journey to embrace this ISO management approach for its benefits.”
“Rite Foods Limited will have to note that the quest for excellence is unending because the quality is among target,” he added. The Managing Director of the company, Seleem Adegunwa, in his speech, said the company had worked so hard to overcome all challenges to get the company to where it is today.
Adegunwa who hinted that the company’s aim is to take over the beverage drinks and sausage market, said: “Once we conquer the Nigerian market, we are set to move to other West African countries to cash in on the opportunities that are abounded.”
“It is no secret that Rite Foods has one of the highest standards of quality when it comes to food production and safety processes, and we are glad to stamp on it till today to mark what has always been our standard,” he said. Adegunwa assured that the company would do everything possible to maintain high standard of its products.