Sabinsa president Shaheen Majeed has announced the health nutrition company’s plans for operating amid global efforts to combat the Coronavirus pandemic.
 
“Our entire group is continuously assessing the CCOVID-19 (coronavirus) situation and has measures in place to safeguard the interests and health of our employees and our customers. I would like to personally share with you some of the steps we have taken,” Majeed said. “When the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, we adopted a multi-tiered approach to deal with the virus starting with establishing preparedness strategies for continuity of operations and clear communication.
 
While the company’s manufacturing standards already adhere to US FDA, FSMA, and other international regulatory bodies as part of cGMP compliance, the company is reinforcing effective hand-washing practices among all of its employees worldwide. It is installing additional hand washing facilities and implementing increased sanitation practices as recommended by WHO and the latest FDA release.
 
“We are well stocked with personal protective equipment and antibacterial products,” Majeed wrote.
 
Regular health checkups will be conducted on an ongoing basis, and employees are instructed to stay home if they are ill or show symptoms of cold or flu. Additionally, the company is sharing the latest updates about COVID-19 with its employees. Virtual communications are encouraged across the company to cut down on associated risks.
 
The company said it expects no significant disruption in customers services, and remains ready to respond to consumers via phone, email, and video services where possible. Manufacturing facilities are operating normally and at full staff, with heightened safety protocols in place. Cultivation and harvesting of herbs remains unaffected, Majeed said. Additionally, advanced procurement planning on several other important botanicals, probiotics, and enzymes, ensures that material will always be in stock- and the company has at least six months and, in many cases, a year’s worth of inventory.
 
A database system is also in place to identify suppliers and sourcing locations in heavily impacted areas or those with fewer available support resources. The company is also ensuring that vendors and farmers adhere to strict hygienic processes.
 
Majeed said that cargo shipments are currently proceeding uninterrupted.
 
“Should that change for any reason, our warehouses across the world are already well stocked with our key ingredients, and shipments to our customers are occurring normally,” Majeed said. “We consistently keep three to four months of finished products stock for supplying customers in all warehouses worldwide.”
 
“To summarize, we have not experienced any interruption in our manufacturing and supply chain operations, and foresee no disruptions in our ability to supply ingredients, even with demand increasing as it does in times of crisis,” Majeed said. “While we have taken measures to ensure business as usual, the situation remains fluid. One of the challenges is increased uncertainty, which we do our best to remove on our end. You can help, and we can help you, by talking with your sales rep about your ingredient forecasts.