Yes, it certainly was a challenging period and we have worked very hard to regain the trust of our consumers regarding the quality of our products. We have implemented a comprehensive seven-step safety promise and accompanying protocols that include full traceability from raw material sourcing through to the finished product. This year, we commissioned an independent international auditing body to undertake food safety and quality audits at all relevant operations; it is pleasing to report that all of Tiger Brands' manufacturing sites have achieved external certification aligned with the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).
To promote broader food safety, Tiger Brands funded the establishment of the Centre for Food Safety at Stellenbosch University, which conducts academic research in this area. The results of its independent research activities will be used to inform government on food safety regulation, raise consumer awareness and improve communication on food safety. The centre is also training postgraduate students in food safety, which will ensure that regulators and the food industry in South Africa and the southern African the region will have increased access to qualified food safety scientists.
We have engaged actively with the class action process to facilitate a speedy resolution of the matter for all stakeholders, by co-funding the class action communication campaign once it was certified. We will continue to act with integrity and do the right thing once the courts have ruled on the matter.
