Beyond day-to-day operations, the Food Safety team also prioritizes innovation for enhanced accuracy and efficiency. One notable example is the introduction of ATP devices, which produce near-instant test results for surface contamination checks. By providing data in under 15 seconds, these devices enable on-the-spot corrective actions, further strengthening our preventive approach to quality control.

At the heart of these accomplishments is a profound belief that food safety is non-negotiable; it underpins customer trust, public health, and the reputation of CATRION’s entire service portfolio. From pioneering advanced certification upgrades to nurturing a trained, vigilant workforce, the Food Safety department ensures that every plate we serve exemplifies CATRION’s hallmark of excellence.

In parallel, our central laboratory has bolstered its testing scope to 46 different accredited tests, including new PCR-based methods that significantly reduce turnaround times for pathogen detection.

This bolstered capacity cements CATRION’s reputation for prompt and reliable diagnostics, as evidenced by the lab’s external revenue surpassing initial targets. This success reflects the external market’s trust in our expertise and reaffirms our standing as a leader in food safety diagnostics.

Complementing these system-wide improvements, CATRION has placed a strong emphasis on training and awareness. After achieving Highfield UK accreditation, we extended certified food safety courses to both employees and external stakeholders.

This year alone, in-house trainers delivered advanced programs to municipalities’ inspection teams in Makkah and Aseer, enabling local authorities to enhance their oversight and better protect public health. Internally, monthly toolbox talks, translated into three languages, reached over 6,400 employees, covering topics such as HACCP best practices, allergen controls, and safe food handling. We also certified 10 senior staff members as Lead Trainers, enabling them to cascade knowledge throughout the organization efficiently and consistently.

These comprehensive food safety measures have yielded exceptional audit outcomes. In February 2024, British Airways conferred a “Blue Audit Rating” on our RUH unit, the first of its kind in that location, while Lufthansa audits at DMM scored a perfect 100%. Similarly, healthcare clients have repeatedly praised our compliance levels, with some audits achieving near-perfect scores. Internal inspections supervised by our Hygiene & Food Safety (H&FS) team have also driven performance improvements, increasing overall inspection scores from 72% in January to 87% by September 2024.

Externally, CATRION continues to shape the regulatory landscape. Our Regulatory Affairs experts partnered with the SFDA to help develop “Food Catering Hygienic Requirements,” ensuring local regulations are both stringent and feasible for large-scale operators.

We also convened the Food Safety Advisory Committee, comprising representatives from the Ministry of Health, academia, and industry, to discuss emerging trends, share best practices, and align sector-wide improvements in food safety standards.