Global Food Industries (GFI), a part of the Albatha Group, has won the Halal trophy and Halal certification from Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) during the Gulfood exhibition.

GFI is the first frozen food manufacturing company in the UAE that has been awarded such a certification from ESMA, said a statement.

It would be the first company to use the UAE ‘Halal Mark’ on their packaging, it said.

After awarding the Halal trophy to GFI, Dr Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, chairman of the ESMA, said: "The launch of the national brand for Halal comes within the UAE system requirements for the control of halal products. The national brand of Halal adopted by the commission is awarded to products conforming to the requirements of ‘Emirati control system’ of halal products.”

The company’s products under Al Areesh and Arctic Gold brands encompasses frozen foods mainly portfolio of poultry, meat, seafood and range of vegetables.

Ishaque Noor, Albatha Group’s managing director, said: “We are delighted to be the first company in the UAE for meeting all the necessary requirements that was needed to be Halal certified by ESMA. We are an organisation that is purely driven by values. We adopt best industry practices and standards that are ahead of the industry.

“We source the finest Halal raw materials from across the world, process them at our state-of-the-art facilities and ship the finished goods across Middle East and African region. GFI caters to the needs of discerning consumers by providing them with delicious value added food products. Today, our brands enjoy a significant presence across all trade channels throughout GCC”.

Jacek Plewa, GFI’s general manager, said: “We value our consumer, customers and such quality certifications are necessary in the industry to build customer confidence. Educating the audience about this certification is extremely important so that they can trust the products and are sure of the quality.

“With our comprehensive expertise, commitment to innovation and adherence to stringent standards, our brands are highly regarded for their unique taste, nutritional value and convenience. We are on a constant endeavor to develop new product categories, expand our geographic presence and further strengthen our role in enhancing the quality of life for our consumers, partners, personnel and the society at large.” - TradeArabia News Service