Pursuit of Thorough Quality Assurance by Every Suntory Group Member
- A can interior inspection machine inspecting the inside of a can from above by means of flash irradiation
From the very beginning, the Suntory Group has worked continuously to improve the quality of the products and services it offers its customers. In 2004, we established the Quality Assurance Committee to oversee these efforts at all our Group companies and developed a structure for performance of quality assurance activities from the perspectives of both the Company and the Group businesses as a whole.
We also formulated the Suntory Group quality policy, "All for the Quality", to clarify our stance toward quality assurance. We have communicated this policy to every Group employee in every facet of our operations, from R&D to production, logistics, sales and service.
Ensuring Safe, Delicious Products
- Covers keep foreign substances out of containers by sealing them completely, leaving no spaces in between.
To ensure that only safe, high-quality products reach our customers, we pursue quality assurance by verifying the safety of the ingredients, containers and water we use, for example, and conducting strict checks during every process concerned with production.
- A can rinser cleans containers by water jet injection after receipt at a plant to prevent contamination with foreign substances.
Quality Assurance for Ingredients, Water and Containers and Packaging
In addition to complying with all relevant laws and regulations, we have established our own quality standards at Suntory to ensure the safety of our ingredients, water and packaging. With respect to ingredients, moreover, we are training specialists, such as oolong tea experts and coffee appraisers, and purchasing only high-quality, stable ingredients.
- Conducting a daily sensory test to make sure there is no abnormality concerning the flavor or quality of our products
Quality Assurance at Production Sites
The introduction of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) and achievement of ISO9001 certification by our manufacturing facilities have enhanced the transparency of our quality assurance structure. We conduct thorough quality control of each and every process, from receiving ingredients to packaging products, to prevent contamination by foreign substances, running checks to make sure all the respective processes are conducted properly and keeping records of the results. All our sites follow safe, high-quality production procedures.
- Conducting a microorganism test to confirm that a product has been completely disinfected and that its contents are safe
Testing and Analysis Structure
We have established the Safety Science Institute, which employs the latest equipment and analysis procedures to analyze and assess ingredients, manufacturing processes and final products as well as products that have been subject to customer complaints.
In August 2004, we established the Suntory (China) Quality Assurance Center to accelerate the analysis process.
- An air shower removes particles and dust from the clothing of an employee entering a filling room.
Product Labeling
In the area of product labeling, we make every effort to ensure that labels list the contents accurately and that they are worded to avoid misunderstanding or misinterpretation. Appropriate, easily understandable expressions are employed, a practice that extends to publicity and advertising as well, and a specialized department verifies compliance with the relevant labeling laws and standards.
