SGS
HYGIENE MONITORING
TO GLOBAL SAFETY STANDARDS The international SGS Hygiene Monitored (HM) Programme addresses the needs of the foodservice, retail and hospitality sectors – now more a necessity than ever before as the world adjusts to post-pandemic health and safety regulations.
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f you thought food safety was a top priority before the global outbreak of COVID-19, it’s even more integral to a business’s survival now as we near the end of the lockdown period. Not only are consumers wary of restaurateurs, hoteliers and hospitality service providers where there is a higher risk of contracting the virus, but businesses who do not comply face heavy fines, loss of licenses and other punitive measures. This is where SGS steps in and assists. Through the global SGS Hygiene Monitored Programme, they assess and target the entire premises including areas like kitchens, seating and
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supermarket aisles in a bid to ensure all safe, healthy hygiene practices are implemented and adhered to.
A WORLD LEADER IN QUALITY AND INTEGRITY SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. The organisation is recognised as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 94 000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2 600 offices and laboratories around the world. SGS has recently expanded the HM Programme to include a dedicated addendum covering compliance with the WHO COVID-19 guidelines and those of other
recognised bodies. To monitor the hygiene in any given facility, representative food and water samples including environmental swabs are taken during the audit and analyzed as per the program requirements to confirm effectiveness of cleaning practices. A SARS-COV-2 detection test, using the highly sensitive RT-PCR methodology, is also available as an option. “For many years SGS has been a trusted leader for the global food industry. During these times of crisis, it is of paramount importance that we continue to provide strong support to our customers to ensure they can resume and maintain their operations with confidence,” says Olivier Coppey, Executive Vice
