Beijing, China (January 06, 2010) /ChinaNewswire.com/ — China World Hotel, Beijing highlights its priority in stepping up food safety management systems, in accordance with corporate food safety guidelines from Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and with international food safety requirements, by becoming the first Shangri-La hotel in mainland China to successfully acquire ISO 22000 food safety management certification for the hotel's kitchen team from Moody International. In addition to the ISO 22000 certification, the hotel also successfully passed stringent audits for HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) re-certification.

ISO 22000 refers to the internationally recognised standard for food safety management systems and quality food safety principles for organisations operating within the food supply chain. HACCP employs internationally recognised standard principles for food safety risk analysis as well as the identification, evaluation and control of hazards considered significant for food safety. For hotel kitchens, these principles involve an entire range of activities, from food purchasing to storage and food preparation while also requiring extensive staff training and coordination from other hotel departments such as engineering and food and beverage service operations.

"The issue of food safety has been making headlines around the world with increasing frequency. Therefore, it is becoming imperative for organisations such as China World Hotel to prioritise food safety for our hotel guests and employees. With previous HACCP certification, China World Hotel moved one step closer to achieving internationally recognised principles for food safety. Now, with ISO 22000-certification for the entire kitchen team, China World Hotel fully demonstrates its ongoing commitment in giving priority to the safety of hotel guests and employees", said John Rice, general manager of China World Hotel, Beijing.

As part of the Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts group, China World Hotel, Beijing is compliant with the group's food safety management requirements, with its entire kitchen team having successfully completed training and certification through the Shangri-La Food Safety Management System.

The international founding members of the Codex Alimentarius Commission first pioneered the principles and processes for food safety hazard analysis. The commission eventually developed the principles for HACCP, which currently form the foundation of all global food safety standards. Moody International, a leading global supplier of management system certification, technical and inspection services, product certification and technical training, was one of the first organisations to take these principles and develop a formal globally recognised certification standard.

Hailed as one of the first three hotels in mainland China to be awarded with a Platinum Five Star rating by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), China World Hotel, Beijing was also named by both Conde Nast Traveller and Travel + Leisure on its lists as one of the world's best hotels, making it the leading address for discerning travellers visiting China's capital city. The award-winning hotel, with its highly acclaimed restaurants, soars over the China World Trade Centre complex, including the China World Exhibition Centre and shopping mall, in the heart of Beijing's diplomatic and business district.

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific's leading luxury hotel group, signed a corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy into effect in 2007 and launched a two year development strategy to enhance its existing CSR activities. A corporate CSR committee, spearheaded by the group's chief operating officer, guides fulfilment of the group's responsibilities in the five key areas of the environment, employees and the community, health and safety, supply chain management and stakeholder relations. For more information, please access the CSR section on the group's website at www.shangri-la.com.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages 65 hotels under the Shangri-La and Traders brands with a rooms inventory of over 28,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services. Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, Canada, mainland China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. The group has over 40 projects under development in Austria, Canada, mainland China, France, India, Macau, Philippines, Qatar, Seychelles, United Kingdom and the United States. For more information or reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• PRESS CONTACT:
  Diane Fermin (Director of Communications)
  China World Hotel, Beijing
  Tel: (86-10) 6505-2266
  Fax: (86-10) 6505-3165
  Email: diane.fermin@shangri-la.com
  Website: www.shangri-la.com