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| Quality assurance is a systematic
process |
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| By quality, Coop
understands not just factors such as product composition or indeed
product flavour or utility, but also product packaging and
information. The quality characteristics of every single Coop
product are set out in specifications or product requirement
profiles. Applying the principle of systematic quality control, all
production processes are monitored and subjected to checks in
Coop's ultramodern laboratory. |
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Information and
training
Information and training for employees working in purchasing,
range selection, logistics and sales is a major prerequisite for
safe, high-quality products. Staff are trained in cooperation with
the Coop Training Centre. Special short modules are compiled that
allow on-the-job training in the sales outlets. |
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State-of-the-art analytical
methods
In addition to "traditional" methods of microbiological and
chemical analysis, the Coop Central Laboratory also possesses the
latest equipment for identifying genetically modified ingredients,
pesticide sprays or veterinary medicines. Thanks to highly
sensitive analytical systems, even tiny quantities of a substance
can now be demonstrated. Another important analytical task of the
Laboratory is checking the nutritional data on product packaging.
In the non-food sector and Building & Hobby ranges the safety
and the fitness of the articles for use are checked. |
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Matching the labelling to the
product
An experienced team of professionals create the packaging texts
for Coop own brands in the food and near-food (cosmetics, cleaning
agents) sectors. They have not only to ensure compliance with the
strict legal regulations but also to include various additional
statements such as information for diabetics or where ingredients
of animal origin come from. The packaging is also subjected to
rigorous in-house checks: have the ingredients or any additives or
allergy-triggering substances been correctly labelled? Is the
picture on the label deceptive and are the printed texts legible?
Since all these data are stored in a database, full information can
be provided immediately in response to customer queries. |
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Professional
advice
The Coop Quality Centre employs experienced experts who can
provide advice in problem cases and evaluate new procedures or
risks. There are regular exchanges of experience with the regional
quality officers. |
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