james wika 
The annual audit conducted unannounced is internationally recognised and focuses on good
manufacturing practices
Upfield, the largest plant-based consumer products company in the world and manufacturer of Blue Band range of products, has attained a four-point improvement in the annual AIB unannounced quality audit in its Kenya factory to retain an A classification.
The internationally recognised AIB quality audit is conducted annually and focuses on good
manufacturing practices such as process control and monitoring, personnel & hygiene
standards, facilities and infrastructure and compliance to legal and regulatory product standards.
Upfield East and Southern Africa Managing Director, Peter Muchiri said the improved score was
as a result of various measures taken by the organisation such as sustainable closure of
previous AIB audit actions, implementation of FSSC 22000 standard which focuses on assuring
end to end food safety, increased trainings and awareness sessions to staff, identifying gaps at
the factory and facilitating closure and provision of CAPEX funds in closing actions that required
huge capital investments.
“This quality audit means our factory is audited and graded against other factories worldwide
using internationally recognised Good Manufacturing Practice standards. Our Nairobi factory
achieved an A rating of 94.5% which means that our production environment, processes and
site meet world class standards in terms of hygiene. Our consumers are therefore guaranteed
of high-quality products” he said.
Upfield’s Head of Supply Chain for East and Southern Africa, Alice Majani said: “We remain
committed to producing and selling high quality products that meet global nutritional
requirements whilst observing local statutory and regulatory requirements. Our production
environment will remain clean and of world class standard in order to deliver safe and best
quality products always.”
Last year, Upfield Kenya attained an A classification of 90.5%, an improvement from a B
classification the previous year.
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