OSI, one of the world’s leading suppliers of premium quality, value-added, food products to leading international foodservice and retail food brands, has announced that its facility in Rushan, China, has become the first to achieve LRQA (Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance) status in the country’s vast meat industry, according to a recent press release. Even more impressively, it actually achieved Gold LRQA status.

Achieving Gold LRQA status demonstrates that OSI has met stringent international standards for quality, safety, and environmental management. LRQA is a globally recognised certification body for assurance and certification services. 

Achieving this status in China means that OSI has successfully passed thorough audits and assessments to ensure its processes and systems comply with LRQA's high standards. Along with operational efficiencies it also demonstrates OSI’s commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. LRQA is a participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business.

“Within the supply chain, the importance of food security, along with animal welfare cannot be overestimated - they are essential to the safety and quality of food products, building consumer trust, and maintaining regulatory compliance - and that is why achieving a Gold LRQA status is so important,” said Katharine Haenelt, managing director, OSI UK and OSI Foods Europe. "Furthermore, as technology continues to evolve, businesses that prioritise these aspects, such as OSI, will not only safeguard their operations but also position themselves as leaders in a highly competitive market."

Commenting on the accreditation, John Eccles, general manager at the Rushan site said, “For OSI Rushan, achieving a Gold LRQA certification is an important milestone as it continues to set the standard of excellence in the Chinese poultry industry." 

"It will also help OSI China expand into new markets. Behind this achievement is our team's relentless effort and dedication to continuous improvement and a ‘can do’ attitude in further understanding and implementing the Gold LRQA standards across our poultry operation," he said. "We will continue to uphold best in class standards to ensure that OSI provides its customers with the best food solutions."

Since beginning construction of its vertically integrated poultry production plant in Rushan in 2009 OSI has been committed to delivering a “best in class” solution and this has culminated in LRQA accreditation. As part of the process OSI has implemented a number of key manufacturing and operational procedures. These include providing the chickens - which are all premium white feather birds – with a vegetarian diet, ensuring there are no antibiotics in any feed. Furthermore, all chickens are raised without antibiotics as defined by the WHO as HPCIA for human medicine. 

Farm locations are specifically chosen in areas away from human activity to ensure a good, clean, growing environment, and all chickens are 100% cage-free and free-roaming. No growth hormones are used on any of OSI’s chickens, allowing them to grow at their natural rate, and antibiotics are only ever used if they are deemed to be necessary to ensure good health and achieve the required standards of animal welfare. Withdrawal period rules are strictly adhered to, and the chickens are routinely checked to ensure that there is no antibiotic residue in the chicken meat before shipping. The Rushan facility is also ISO9001/ISO22000/Halal certified.

As one of the largest privately held companies in the United States - with more than 65 factories and 20,000 employees in 18 countries - OSI has unmatched resources and operations. Its wide range of services includes the development of custom food products and global supply chain management (from sourcing to processing and sales), and it can also provide customised food products that fit a company's operating model and increase its business opportunities.