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quality commitment
A Commitment As Safe & Strong As Your Vault
People love to speculate about the secret ingredient in Coca-Cola. Some say it
could be ferreted out by simple analytical chemistry. Others are sure they taste
a distinctive flavour base. But most are simply delighted that it makes Coca-Cola,
the world's premier soft drink, taste so consistently delicious.
What's our secret? Well, one secret is locked safely away in a secured vault.
But another is just an arm's length away. It's the consistent quality of Coca-Cola.
Wherever we do business, the Coca-Cola system adheres not only to local and
national laws for food processing and labeling, but also to our own strict standards for exceptional quality. Everything we
do, from the selection of ingredients to the delivery of our finished products, reflects our commitment to offering you the
highest quality products. Let's take a closer look at that commitment.
The Art Of Concentrate & Syrup Manufacturing
Most of our flavours are produced as concentrates, which are rigorously
analyzed to ensure that they meet quality specifications. Each concentrate
lot is coded and packaged, then shipped on for the next step - the addition
of sweetener and water to the concentrates to produce syrups for our
products.
The quality standards are very high. Mixing tanks must be of a specified
grade of stainless steel. The entire syrup manufacturing system must employ
hot sanitation. Precise control over water and sweetener components must
be demonstrated. And, quality control professionals must oversee each step
of the process.
Our syrups start with fresh water, treated by using a multiple barrier filtration process to ensure its quality. In addition to
the water and concentrate, sweeteners are added to produce syrup for most products. Throughout the manufacturing
process, we take special care to ensure that every step - from the selection of ingredients to the calibration of equipment -
adheres to our own strict requirements. The final step is to verify that our efforts have been successful by testing the
syrups for taste and adherence to their formulae.
A Mixture Of Quality Control Processes
The magic of turning syrup into a finished beverage is the role of bottlers and
canners. They bring together the essential ingredients - syrup, water and carbon
dioxide - and transform them into the essence of refreshment. To do this, many
producers now use the latest in computer technology and statistical process
control. It's a modern way to achieve our one traditional goal - consistent quality.
Because we know that quality cannot be "tested in" to a product, we work tirelessly
to ensure that we make it right the first time. We clearly define the process and
control the inputs and steps in the process so that we can predict the quality of
what we produce. Then, we test our work as a confirmation of our tightly controlled
process.
For instance, syrup-to-water ratios (mixtures) are accurately established at production start-up and are monitored
frequently during the production run. Some plants use "in-line" electronic monitors, which continuously test the ratios and
the carbonation of the beverage. No matter what sophisticated techniques are utilized, frequent taste-testing confirms
that the blending process has produced exactly the right flavour ... the flavour you expect every time you drink one of our
products.
Adding the Sparkle
Adding pure carbon dioxide to the blend, in just the right proportion, puts the "sparkle" in soft drinks. To ensure we have
it right, technicians periodically check production runs.
Packaging That Is As Neat & Clean
The actual beverage aside, even our packaging undergoes, rigorous quality tests. We not only work with our packaging suppliers to ensure
quality in their production, but also employ our own testing methods. All packages
must be free from defects. Cans are regularly "torn down" to check the quality of
liners and seams. Bottles, whether glass or plastic, must meet standards for finish
and uniformity.
Once the packaging has been inspected the filler injects the right quantity of the beverage and seals it with a can end, metal crown or plastic closure. Each closure
application method must pass regular testing. Metal crowns for glass bottles must be properly crimped onto the bottle lip.
Plastic closures are tested for proper alignment, threading and torque (how hard you have to twist to get the closure off the
bottle). Can ends are inspected for smooth, uniform application without gaps or leaks.
Checking fill heights or net contents of our products helps to ensure that each package contains the proper volume. Can
fill levels are continuously checked by an electronic device, which rejects any cannot properly filled. Bottle fill heights are
measured gravimetrically, or by weight. Labeling and graphics for all packages must meet clearly defined standards.
Every production lot is coded by date and producing facility. Trained route sales people use this code extensively to provide
the freshest, best-tasting product possible. It's our primary tool for maintaining high quality standards throughout the
distribution cycle, right to you - our consumer.
A Cent Percent Quality Assurance - For Your Sake
At The Coca-Cola Company, quality is more than just something we taste, or see, or measure or manage. Quality shows
itself in our every action; it encompasses everything we do. From processing to packaging to pouring, anything less than
100 percent quality is unacceptable. Our consumers throughout the world deserve the highest quality beverages we can
produce. Every time.
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