Coca-Cola India :: Quality

KNOW THE SCIENCE BEHIND OUR QUALITY

A Tour Through Our Scientific Manufacturing Processes

At The Coca-Cola Company, through our globally accepted and validated manufacturing processes and Quality Management Systems, we ensure that our manufacturing facilities are equipped to provide the consumer with the highest possible quality beverage each time. Let us now take you through the processes and Quality Assurance Programs followed by our world-class manufacturing facilities in India.

Testing Source Water For Plant Site Selection

Even before the plant is constructed, the site is selected based on the availability of source water meeting the potability quality standards. At all our carbonated and non-carbonated soft drink manufacturing locations, the source water is tested for all requirements of potable drinking water. The analysis is always conducted by independent third party accredited laboratories. The source water is then properly protected and re-tested periodically to ensure conformance to potability standards.

The water is then drawn through sealed pipelines into the storage tanks in secured water treatment areas of the manufacturing plant.

Water Treatment - Know The Chemistry Of Purity

1. The first step in the manufacturing of soft drinks is the disinfections of water using the globally approved procedure of chlorination. This treatment ensures the destruction of micro-organisms including pathogens and oxidation of heavy metal ions and organic impurities.

2. The second step is the filtration at the molecular level, which is achieved either by coagulation/flocculation or reverse osmosis. Contaminants commonly removed by this process include:

   - Dirt, clay and any other suspended matter in the water.
   - Microbial matter (including bacteria, yeast, moulds, virus, protozoa).
   - Heavy metals and compounds which may cause an off-taste.

When coagulation/flocculation is used, colloidal materials and suspended particles are removed by settling plus enhanced filtration through multi-media. If needed, alkalinity reduction may also be achieved by lime softening or ion exchange filters.

3. The third step to stop potential contaminants is water purification using granular activated carbon filters. The granular activated carbon, with its large and porous surface area, ensures effective removal of trace levels of organic compounds (including pesticides and herbicides), colour, off-taste and odour-causing compounds using the principle of absorption.

4. The last step is polishing filtration, which is passing water through high efficiency 5-micron filters to ensure every drop of treated water is free from any activated carbon fines and is safe for use in beverages.

The Purity Of Our Sugar Is Crystal Clear

Similar to the stringent norms used for water, we buy high-grade sugar from authorized sugar mills in India and this is treated with a globally acclaimed carbon treatment which removes all impurities and is then used for the preparation of purified sugar syrup. This sugar syrup is then blended with the soft drink concentrate..

Carbon Dioxide Meeting International Purity Standards

Carbon-dioxide from authorized suppliers meeting international purity standards is procured, which goes through stringent quality control checks before being used in the beverage process.

The three ingredients of syrup, treated water and carbon-dioxide are blended as per The Coca-Cola Company's specifications.

The Automated Bottling Process

The glass bottles returned from the market are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized with specially formulated cleaning agents at high temperature that use sophisticated state-of-the-art Bottle Washers or Bottle Rinsers(in case of PET). These bottles are then transported to the filler using a fully automated conveyor system after a thorough visual inspection. The beverage is then filled into glass containers or virgin food grade PET bottles using a high-speed automated filling machine. The entire filling operation is fully automated and untouched by human hands.

The bottles are finally capped/crowned, date coded and packed into crates/cartons to make them available to our consumers.

The complete manufacturing process has a well defined and structured Quality Control and Assurance Program.

All the manufacturing facilities employ qualified, experienced and trained professionals for manufacturing and testing of our products.

All the bottling facilities follow the Good Manufacturing Practices requirements as applicable to the food industry. All manufacturing equipment fulfil the stringent requirements of GMP and sanitary design.

The entire quality management system of each plant is documented, managed and continually improved through a world-wide accepted system of TCCQS (The Coca-Cola Quality System).

Internal & External Audit Monitor Compliance Clauses

The Company also has a strong internal audit system to monitor compliance to international and local standards. The manufacturing facilities also get audited by accredited external audit agencies against quality management standards.

This internal checks and balances system works virtually in every aspect of our business and gives us the confidence to reassure our promise to consumers every day.

At The Coca-Cola Company, we are committed to delivering high quality products to our customers and consumers throughout the globe. In each and every sip.