Hayleys HJS Condiments wins prestigious BRC certification

HJS Condiments, the Hayleys Group subsidiary that is Sri Lanka’s largest exporter of processed fruit and vegetables, has been awarded the prestigious and exacting British Retail Consortium (BRC) certification, the company announced this week.The BRC standard is a requirement for companies supplying retailer-branded food products to companies in the UK, and specifies the food safety and quality criteria which must be in place within the organisation of any manufacturer supplying product to UK retailers.

HJS Condiments Managing Director Anil Wickremanayake said: “Compliance with BRC requirements will open more doors for our products and in turn benefit all stakeholders in the value chain, including farmers and our outgrowers.” He disclosed that HJS had already negotiated with a prestigious international food company based in the UK for the supply of dehydrated products for cereals and the BRC certificate is one of their major requirements to commence the business with that company.

An ISO 9000, ISO 14000 and HACCP certified company, HJS Condiments exports an extensive range of products to 25 countries. The company’s state-of-the-art processing plant in the Biyagama Export Processing Zone produces Gherkins, Red Bell Peppers, Jalapeño Peppers, Chillies, Silverskin Onions, Celery, Cauliflower, Baby Corn, Carrots, Pineapples, Papaya, Mango, Banana, Jack Fruits, Tamarind, and Cashew for export. The company has a network of 6,000 farmer out-growers to grow and supply these products, mainly in remote villages in agricultural districts such as Anuradhapura, Ampara, Polonnaruwa, Matale, Kurunegala, Moneragala, Badulla, Ratnapura and Puttalam.