The Amalgamated Plantations Private Ltd (APPL)-CII Tea cluster was the first proud recipient of the coveted ISO 22000 Accredited Food Safety certification in the Tea Sector, from DET NORSKE VERITAS -DNV, for 4 of its Orthodox estates, Achabam TE, Borhat TE, Chubwa TE and Nahorani TE in Assam. The group has 24 estates within Assam and Bengal and produces 41 M kgs of tea. The factories have been upgraded to meet stringent international requirements for food safety.

Mr. D Borah, ED of APPL noted that behind the successful certifications to ISO22000 was a great amount of diligence and team work. The factories have undergone changes to improve processes and hygiene with evidenced reduction of spillage during processing. This process required wide employee Involvement and promotion of a culture of sharing Best Practices for continual improvement. He believes that APPL’s decision to engage CII Institute of Quality had facilitated the journey to excellence, starting with Food Safety and Quality.

The ‘Individual estate Certificates’ would be handed over to the 4  APPL Estates in Assam during separate ceremonies within the coming week and the company plans to upgrade another six estates within the current financial year. The rest of the estates would be made ISO 22000 compliant within 2011.