PRIME Certification and Inspection has been recognized by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) as the lone Philippine halal-certifying body authorized to give accreditation for food exports bound Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The recognition on the heels of the Saudi government’s directive last November 2020, stipulating that meat, poultry, and their derivative products can only be exported to the oil-rich country, provided that they are halal certified by a body accredited and approved by the SFDA, which regulates food, drug, and medical devices both imported and domestic for the conservative Islamic nation.
The new regulation comes as the international halal food industry posted a steady growth last year, with a total deal value of $6.3 billion, per the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2020/2021.
“Prime Certification and Inspection-Asia Pacific is proud to be the first and only halal certifying body in the Philippines recognized by the Saudi Food & Drug Authority,” said Dr. Mary Jane Alvero-Al Mahdi, chief executive officer of Prime Group of Cos. (PGC).
“With the growing demand brought about by the rapid increase of Muslim populations worldwide, we look forward to providing the first step for Filipino brands to penetrate this growing global market,” she added.
A leading quality and compliance solutions provider specializing in helping homegrown brands export halal products to Muslim-majority markets, Prime Certification and Inspection has certified 22 multinational companies and local brands.
The company is a subsidiary of the United Arab Emirates-based PGC, a leading 360-degree quality and compliance solutions provider in Asia, Middle East and North Africa. To date, it has issued millions of reports and certificates.
With over 600 staff members spread across its branches globally, the Group takes pride in its large pool of experienced, competent and highly qualified professionals in the field of testing, inspection, certification, training, research and study, trading, and facilities management.
Apart from Prime Certification and Inspection, PGC is comprised of various business entities that include Geoscience Testing Laboratory, Prime Innova Training Center, Prime Alpha, Prime Beta Trading and Prime EcoTek Facilities Management and Solutions.
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