Mars GCC in the Middle East Receives Third National Food Safety & Quality Award

Mars GCC, based in the Middle East, was recently recognized with the “gold” award for food safety in the manufacturing category of the 2008 Dubai Environment, Health and Safety Awards. Its third national food safety award in three years, the company also received the 2007 Dubai Quality Award and the 2006 Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award for Manufacturing.

The Mars GCC award submission provided details of the company’s proactive food safety processes and systems designed to ensure that Mars’ products meet a high level of quality and food safety. Award entries were based on company performance, excellence, innovation, as well as the results of a rigorous factory audit conducted by a team of assessors. Mars joins Unilever as only the second company to receive this prestigious award.

Recognized at a ceremony held in the Emirates Towers Hotel under the patronage of his Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, Mars GCC General Manager Ahmed Bayoumi accepted the award from H.E. Ahmed Butti Ahmed, Executive Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation.

“Winning this award further demonstrates our efforts to enhance food safety measures in the GCC region, as well as our commitment to consumer health and safety,” said Bayoumi. “We’re proud to be at the forefront of driving these issues and helping to raise standards in this area, and are thrilled to have won this award.”