Capwell Industries Joins The 40 Companies In Kenya With HACCP Certification On Food Safety Management Systems.

CIL C.E.O. Rajan Shah receiving the HACCP Certificate from KEBS' Beatrice Opiyo at their company's offices. Looking on are company borad of directors and members of the management staff.

Thika based Capwell Industries Limited (CIL) has received a HACCP certification on food safety management systems from KEBS, becoming one of the very few companies in the food industries to achieve the highly coveted accolade in the East African region.

The Hazzard Analysis and Clinical Control Points (HACCP) is an international standard defining the requirements for effective control of food safety. It is a management system in which food safety is addressed through the analysis and control of biological, chemical, and physical hazards from raw material production, procurement and handling, to manufacturing, distribution and consumption of the finished product.

This certification demonstrates the high standards in food safety and regulation in their production systems that guarantees their clients of the high quality products which they are accustomed to.

Speaking in their factory offices when receiving the certificate, CIL C.E.O. Rajan Shah said that their decision to seek the certification was in response to demand for quality and safe products from their customers, which was in line with exponential growth of their business. According to Rajan, the company had already started reaping the benefits of the certification during the implementation which had involved, among other things, an internationally accredited training programme on HACCP standards that built their capacity as consultants who drive the whole process in certification.

“Customer complaints have decreased significantly and our efficiency has improved. More efficiency translates into increased consumer confidence in our processes and products and also improves our prospects of trading both regionally and internationally,” explained Rajan.

While presenting the certificate, KEBS lead auditor and manager - Food Safety Management System Certification Beatrice Opiyo Misango said that the certification was aimed at entrenching a culture of food and safety among the food handlers and manufacturers.

“Compliance allows companies to demonstrate best practices, meet the highest food safety standards and care about the wellbeing of their clients. Capwell must now live up to these standards lest they lose the certification,” said Beatrice.

She added that the certification had a validity period of three years though KEBS was allowed in law to periodically visit the company to ascertain that they did not compromise on the standards.

Capwell’s journey to HACCP Certification dates way back in December 2014 when they requested KEBS for an audit of the food safety management systems. Their initial audit was done in June 2015 and in august the same year, KEBS did their second one and certified that the company was now compliant.

A photo of the company's products in the market.

Capwell Industries started its operations in 1999 with a modern maize milling factory in Thika Among the brands associated with company include; Soko Sifted Maize Meal Flour, Pendana Fortified Maize Meal, Pearl Kenya Pishori Rice, Ranee Rice, Great Harvest Rice, CIL Long Grain Rice, Best Cook Home Baking Flour, Soko Uji – Porridge, Pearl Pulses and Ranee Spaghetti.