|
|
|
You can get e-magazine links on WhatsApp. Click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
Singapore most innovative nation in food processing
|
|
Friday, 16 October, 2009, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
|
|
Our Bureau, Mumbai
|
A recent report jointly compiled by the Boston Consulting Group, the Washington-based National Association of Manufacturers and the Manufacturing Institute, the NAM's non-partisan research affiliate, rated Singapore as the world's most innovative nation. The GDP growth of the country is around 1.2%. With a labour force of 2.96 million, the unemployment rate is as small as 2.3%. Food processing forms one of the major industries from among leading ones like electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, ship repair, offshore platform construction and life sciences.
The report rated India 46th on the innovation ladder.
The unique characteristics of Singapore's food processing industry is that it grades its food processing establishments.
According to the Singapore government's website, all food processing establishments in Singapore are categorised into four grades: A, B, C and D based on their food hygiene and food safety standards. Each establishment is graded prior to the expiry of its licence and reassessed annually.
Some A grade ranking industries include:
International flavors & fragrances (s) Pte Ltd, Takasago international (singapore) Pte. Ltd., Cadbury enterprises Pte. Ltd., Wyeth nutritionals (singapore) Pte Ltd, Anbros industries (s) Pte Ltd.
The grading of food processing establishments is done with an aim to enable food manufacturers to be aware of their hygiene and food safety standards and the need for improvements. Eventually, it creates an environment for food manufacturers to upgrade to strive for higher grades.
Food processing establishments are graded based on a set of criteria touching all aspects of hygiene and food safety standards. The criteria include general cleanliness and housekeeping, food storage, food processing equipment and facilities, food handling and facilities, product identification and transportation, food safety system, food hygiene training, documentation and violation history
Grading creates a competitive environment for food manufacturers who strive for higher grades in order to remain in the race. Food processing establishments with higher grades may use their grades as testimonies to show their clients that they have achieved high food hygiene and food safety standards.
Buyers from supermarkets use food factory grading to identify good and reliable manufacturers when they source their supplies of food products, consumers can therefore enjoy safer food as buyers from supermarkets source from food processing establishments with higher grades.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|