SON Certifies Rice Firm For Safe Production

Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has presented a Product Identification Scheme certificate to Jos-based Shangsat Premium Rice production  company.

It would be recalled that the company started preliminary operations in 2018.

The state coordinator of SON, Engr. Kenneth Shawo, who presented the certificate in Jos yesterday, said the PIS was a precursor and valid for one year.

“PIS is to ensure that the product meets the required standard. When a product meets a required standard it means it is safe for consumption,” he said.

According to him, PIS is a precursor to MANCAP, which is a mandatory product certification scheme to ensure that producers deliver quality service.

Shawo said the organisation would continue to undertake periodic factory inspections, sampling and laboratory testing of products following the certification.

“This is to ensure that the products certified today continue to meet the requirements of the relevant standards that have earned your establishments these certifications.

“The products are to be revalidated periodically and it is important that you note that the certificate issued today shall be withdrawn or suspended if the products fail to meet the minimum requirements,” he said.

He added that this goes for both revalidating products and newly certified products, adding that the certification enhances business growth and maximisation, as well as the production of excellent quality products and healthy competition.

Shawo revealed that to meet micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at their point of standardisation needs, SON had initiated a scheme known as the SON Product Identification Scheme (SONPIS).

The chief executive officer of Shangsat premium rice production company, Mr Caring Simon, while responding, said the rice they produce was better than imported rice.

According to him, the beauty is that their rice is grown, produced and packaged in Jos.

“People think that rice has to be imported to remain foreign, without knowing that we can produce the standard of foreign rice in Jos,” he said.