TOPS, under Central Retail (SET: CRC), reinforces its leadership in Thailand’s food retail sector by advancing food safety standards through tangible and systematic initiatives. Recently, TOPS FOOD HALL, CentralWorld branch, marked a significant industry milestone by receiving the “SAN Plus” certification—an advanced food sanitation standard awarded by the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health. This certification serves as a recognized seal of hygiene and safety for food businesses.
Currently, more than 20 TOPS branches nationwide have achieved the “SAN” standard. Building on this momentum, TOPS continues to elevate its food establishment practices in close collaboration with the Department of Health, with a strategic roadmap to expand these certifications to 100 branches nationwide by 2026.
The certification process involves a rigorous assessment based on criteria established by the Department of Health. The “SAN” standard covers fundamental food sanitation requirements, including overall cleanliness of premises, proper waste and wastewater management, and mandatory training and certification of food handlers. Meanwhile, “SAN Plus” represents an Enhanced Safety standard with even more stringent inspections, covering three critical dimensions:
- Safety Dimensions (Microbiological and Chemical):
- The Microbiological Dimension: Random screenings for Coliform Bacteria are conducted on food handlers’ hands, equipment, and food samples, requiring a compliance rate of at least 90%.
- The Chemical Dimension: All food must be free from five hazardous contaminants: Formalin, Borax, Bleaching agents, Antifungal agents (Salicylic acid), and Pesticide residues.
- Health and Service Dimension: This focuses on offering healthier menu alternatives, such as low-sodium and low-sugar recipes. It also includes the provision of hygienic handwashing stations and the active promotion of using serving spoons to maintain optimal hygiene for consumers in every aspect.
- Environmental Dimension: The use of safe and eco-friendly packaging (No Foam policy)
Currently, TOPS has achieved “SAN” certification across more than 20 branches nationwide. Notably, TOPS FOOD HALL, CentralWorld branch has achieved the ‘SAN Plus’ standard—an elevated safety seal with more stringent requirements than general standards. This milestone underscores TOPS’ commitment to quality and its ongoing efforts to build consumer trust across all touchpoints.
In addition, TOPS has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to further develop and elevate food establishment standards in collaboration with the Department of Health. As part of its long-term commitment, TOPS aims to propel over 100 additional branches into the SAN certification process by 2026, effectively expanding this success and setting a tangible benchmark at a national scale.
