Sri Lanka’s most popular and dynamic super market chain, Keells Super today (May 15) became the first retail chain to obtain a Certificate of Conformity from the Sri Lanka Standards (SLS) Institute for the ‘Supermarket Management System.’

A code of practice for supermarkets under the guidelines of SLSI, the certification has been prepared to provide guidance and awareness to the supermarket system on hygienic requirements, quality, safety and legality of food products from receiving to selling.
 
 Awarded to Keells Super Crescat, Union Place and Rajagiriya the certificate covers areas of environmental hygiene, hygienic production of food in production bakeries and production kitchens, transport, handling and storage of foods, cleaning maintenance and personal hygiene, temperature control, pest control systems, procedures for monitoring at control points and critical limits, maintaining records pertinent to traceability of products and preventive/control measures for hazards and procedures for verification.  Going forward all Keells Super outlets will receive this certificate of conformity in the near future.
 
 The SLSI approval has been granted after continued satisfactory operation of Keells Super’s Supermarket Management System. Prior to granting the Certificate which will help boost the competitiveness of the chain, the outlets that have been approved were subjected to rigorous inspection of quality and control.
 
Under the Code of Practice for the certification the supermarkets have been checked on primary production of environmental hygiene, hygienic production of food sources as well as specific requirements for primary food items that are sold at the premises such as dairy, poultry, bakery, fresh fish, fresh and processed meat products, fresh fruits and vegetables, mineral water among a variety of listed items. Product handling when it comes to material requirements, storage, protection for contamination and cross contamination, stock rotation is also at its best at the Keells Super outlets.
 
Also checked diligently were the supermarkets structure, facility and product handling. Suitably proofed against access of pets, the structure, its layout, design, construction and food preparations have been guarantee as clean and protected against accumulation of dirt, toxic materials and other harmful undesirables. Equipments, fittings and all articles used for handling food also get the tick off as perfect.
 
On the facilities itself, Keells Super outlets have been marked off as exemplary on its, cleanliness, hygiene of facilities and toilets, air quality and ventilation, lighting, temperature control, drainage and water disposal.
 
Personal hygiene of team members at Keells Super were also monitored as was the supervision and training on staff. Monitoring which includes conducting regular checks to ensure individual controls are operated satisfactorily as well as a periodic review of the system as an entirety along with proper record keeping were also checked and approved under the SLSI system.
 
Charitha Subasinghe CEO of Jaykay Marketing Services Pvt Ltd and Vice President of John Keells Holdings  acknowledged that the certification is a guarantee to customers of the stringent procedures adhered  by Keells Super to ensure that the products and services offered are up to an exemplary  level. “Consumers can get their food items in guaranteed hygienic conditions. Food handlers', health and safety, external and internal food handling environment are main concerns of this official recognition which prevent chemical, biological and physical damages to foods,” he added.
 
Head of Sourcing Nihal Senerath mentioned that SLS is a well known mark in every household in Sri Lanka as a symbol of quality, the certification denotes that the outlets have adhered to the relevant Sri Lanka Standard Specification.  This will be also a major marketing tool for the promotion of sales, as the Certification has given an additional advantage over other super markets. As a result of this achievement, productivity of the chain is likely to improve, said Senarath. “The certification will also boost the morale of the workers who make up the Keells Super team. It is because of their dedication and commitment to quality that we have been able to be marked as the first in the field.”  The certification will further encourage people to work methodically and systematically rather than implementing adhoc systems which would improve the quality of work and efficiency of the work force.
 
Senerath commended Waruna Peries, Assistant Manager Sourcing, Outlet Managers, Projects and IT teams of the company who were involved in achieving this remarkable certification for Keells Super being a first in the modern trade industry.
 
By adopting and implementing Supermarket management system standard, organization stands to gain many benefits. The program emphasizes the preventive/ control measures for hazards which improve quality and safety of food items. As a result consumers can get their food items and households with out the risk of contamination. Proper management system which is also checked under the guidelines shows reduced cost associated with customer complaints, legal and regulatory compliances. It improves customer confidence in “Keells Super" and reduce the liability and risk for the company.
 
This achievement is a great example of how Keells Super strives to offer the best in value and satisfaction to their customers.  Keells Super currently has 49 outlets with a strong emphasis on quality and service at prices equal to their competition.