M.Lhuillier Food bullish to penetrate export market

CEBU, Philippines - With its thrust to incorporate diverse international standards to step up its operations, M.Lhuillier Food Products, Inc. expressed optimism to penetrate the export market particularly the United States and European countries after it has recently been certified with globally-accepted standards for food safety management system.

TÜV SÜD PSB Philippines Inc. awarded M.Lhuillier Food Products, Inc. with the international certification in compliance to the requirements of Codex Alimentarius Commission Recommended International Code of Practice – General Principles of Food Hygiene and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) System.

It has also been certified for maintaining a food safety system which meets the requirement of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).

With the aim of helping companies achieve business excellence, TÃœV SÃœD PSB is a service provider for a comprehensive and integrated suite of product testing, inspection and certification services. 

M.Lhuillier Food Products, Inc. General Manager Perry Ong said in an interview that with the company practicing the uniform food safety procedures which are applicable worldwide, it would be easier to saturate the US and European markets who mostly asked for such certification.

He cited that the company has prepared for the certification for almost a year before they applied on November of last year.

“Our main market is actually the export market. Although we still sell it locally, it is mostly for tourists visiting our country. We really need the certification to increase our share in the world market,” he stated.

The export market, he added, shares 70 percent of the total sales and production of the company.

Currently, M.Lhuillier Food Products, Inc. caters to 11 international countries of which Japan accounts the largest market share for about 40% of the total exports.

He said that the company has noted an upward trend in terms of production volume and sales in 2012 and targets to reach an increase of 50% this year.

Amid the tough competition in the world market, he said that M.Lhuillier Food Products, Inc. banks on the unique taste of Philippine mangoes that are assured to be processed in   quality, safe and hygienic standards.

Ong further noted that Thailand as their direct competitor sells dried mangoes that are 40 to 50% cheaper compared to their products.

With its consistent aim towards product diversification, he said that they are working out on additional products to be introduced this year.

The manufacturer and exporter of quality dried mangoes and other tropical fruits also gained certifications for Halal and from US Food and Drug Administration.

Michel Lhuillier, owner and founder of M.Lhuillier Food Products, Inc., commended the hard work of the labor force that contributed to the achievement of the certification.

After the HACCP and GMP certifications, the dried mango processing company prepares itself for another food safety standard application, the ISO 22000.

ISO 22000 is an internationally-recognized standard that incorporates HACCP’s principles and implementation plans and creates an effective framework for food safety management, communication along the food supply chain, and control of food safety hazards.

“We have been waiting for this and now, we got one more hurdle. We have to work for the ISO certification,” he said.

Lhuillier started with only 20 employees before that has grown to 8,200 workers to date.

Founded in 1989, M.Lhuillier Food Products, Inc. endeavors to become one of the major players in the mango processing industry.

With its state-of-the-art drying technology, it has also been regarded as one of the major dried fruit and fruit beverage processor in the Philippines.

Its product line includes Cebu Delights Dried Mangoes, Joanna Dried Mangoes, Cebu’s Lucky Premium Dried Mangoes, Royal Dried Mangoes, Jollibites Dried Mango, Natural Delights Dried Mangoes, M.Lhuillier Dried Mango Delights and Royal Mango Nectar.

It also manufacturers dried mangoes, dried green mango, dried coconut, dried soursop, mango tamarind, dried papaya, dried jackfruit, dried melon, dried pineapple delights and mixed fruits under the brand name, La2Pu.  (FREEMAN)