Case Studies

3663 | Hilton Hotels | NHS Purchasing

3663

3663, the UK’s leading distributor of frozen, chilled and ambient food to the foodservice industry, only purchases and supplies eggs obtained from Lion Quality producers.

3663 delivers over 50 million Lion Quality eggs to caterers each year. Caterers generally purchase eggs in 15 dozen packs, and 88% of those bought are medium sized.

Since 2001, 3663 has seen an appreciable growth in egg sales. This has been attributed to the consistency and quality of the product supplied, and to the security provided by the Lion Quality mark.

Paul Green, 3663 Chilled Buyer, highlights three distinct factors to explain 3663’s uncompromising standpoint on the purchase of Lion Quality eggs: "Firstly, the eggs come only from UK hens. Secondly, the Lion Quality symbol is recognised by our customers, thereby providing reassurance.

"Finally, supplying Lion Quality eggs fits in with 3663 policy on food safety. 3663 has recently set up a new Quality Assurance department to constantly review suppliers, and by buying eggs from Lion Quality suppliers, we can be confident that the product meets our high standards."

Hilton Hotels

Hilton, the internationally renowned hotel chain, has already taken the initiative by stocking and serving only Lion Quality eggs to its guests. In total, Hilton uses six million eggs per year, including a variety of egg products.

Hilton International runs 77 hotels across the UK and Ireland and the announcement that the group would instigate the exclusive use of Lion Quality eggs was welcomed with total commitment from staff, themselves familiar with the Lion mark.

Since its introduction, the policy has provided the business with a major food safety benefit.

Douglas Cameron, Safety Risk Director, Hilton UK and Ireland, said: "When we made the move to Lion Quality eggs, we were aware of the obvious food safety connotations, which come in line with Hilton’s on-going commitments to food hygiene improvements.

"Hilton hotels have an image of supreme quality. It is our commitment to ensure that high standards are maintained in every aspect of the business; by changing to Lion Quality eggs, we are reassured that the eggs we use come only from producers who hold the same principles as ourselves."

NHS Purchasing

The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA) recently announced its decision to purchase only eggs and egg products that are produced under the British Lion Quality scheme.

PASA holds food supply contracts with over 14,000 NHS units, including community sites. The NHS uses over 5.5 million shell eggs per year, as well as 180,500kgs of liquid egg, 850,000 hard-boiled eggs and 270,000kgs of prepared scrambled eggs and omelettes.

PASA communications manager Nicola Targett said: "The Lion Quality scheme fits well with PASA’s food and nutrition policy to adopt best industry practices and standards. The key business benefit has been a high contract uptake due to customer confidence in product quality and safety.”