A GMP is “a system for ensuring that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards”. Good quality must be built in during the manufacturing process.GMP covers all aspects of production; from the starting materials, premises and equipment to the training and personal hygiene of staff. Detailed, written procedures are essential for each process that could affect the quality of the finished product. There must be systems to provide documented proof that correct procedures are consistently followed at each step in the manufacturing process - every time a product is made.
GMP standard for the Sri Lankan cinnamon industry
Sri Lanka is the largest world’s leading producer and the exporter of true Ceylon cinnamon. Pure Ceylon Cinnamon is marketed as a branded product to the world. However over the past four decades, international demand for cinnamon from Sri Lanka has gradually declined especially due to poor quality standards coupled with the fact that Ceylon cinnamon does not comply with product specifications and compliance to food safety and quality standards. The Cinnamon Training Academy (CTA) was established in response to this challenge by The Spice Council (TSC) of Sri Lanka and Ceylon Cinnamon Association (CCA) to upgrade the cinnamon producing and manufacturing process.
In an effort to revitalize Sri Lanka’s Ceylon cinnamon position on the global market, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Standards and Trade Development Facility of the World Trade Organization have been working together with the Spice Council (TSC) through Cinnamon Training Academy (CTA) which represents private and public stakeholders in the cinnamon industry, to implement a project that helps to improve the trade competitiveness of the cinnamon value chain. Within the framework of the project, a nationally accredited vocational training framework was created for cinnamon field and factory operations. This project also focuses on promoting internationally acceptable hygienic standards and internationally recognized food safety certification program. In order to promote best practices in food safety, a pilot Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification was introduced for the first time in the cinnamon industry.
CTA pursues its vision on becoming a Center of Excellence by providing consulting services in the field of GMP, thus assisting cinnamon plantations and processing centers to obtain and maintain GMP certification for their centers. Furthermore, CTA also promotes and advocates the application of food safety and hygienic standards in cinnamon industry, which becomes a prerequisite of the Pure Ceylon Cinnamon (PCC) mark for cinnamon export. The relevance of this is that cinnamon exporting companies can mitigate risks related to the rejection of their produce in the target market. This was also one of the main objectives of the current UNIDO-WTO-TSC cinnamon project.
Basic food safety standards such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) lay the foundation of food safety measures demanded by the international market. GMP covers the basic conditions and activities that need to be established in cinnamon processing, thus maintaining a hygienic environment suitable for the production, handling and provision of safe end-product for human consumption.As a direct result of the UNIDO-WTO-TSC cinnamon project, six cinnamon processing centers have been upgraded and gained GMP certification. With the help of the project, infrastructure has been completely refurbished at these six centers where workers are now operating in compliance with food safety regulations and standards.
GMP CENTERS
Directory of Good Manufacturing Practices Certified Cinnamon Processing Centers
supported by UNDO & STDF project and trained by Cinnamon Training Academy
Kakaris Kanda Estate
Magala, Karandeniya
K.T.J Kumara & Brothers (Pvt) Ltd
Aluthwala Road
Meetiyagoda
SDS (Pvt) Ltd
Melekwala Estate
Nanathota, Wathurawila
Kosgoda
Amarasekara Cinnamon Plantation
92, Unagaswela
Karandeniya
Kahwatte Plantations Plc.
Cinnamon Processing Centre,
Hunuwella Estate,
Opanaike
Watawala Plantation
Homadola Estate,
Udugama.