Few food companies in the Arabian Gulf can match the depth and range of products processed and marketed by Kuwait’s Mezzan Holdings.

Some of the brands such as Daniah and Khazan are now household names and available in virtually every Gulf supermarket.
Mezzan’s many lines produce an astonishing range of products from canned beans and mushrooms to vinegar, cakes and mineral water and even car wash shampoo.
Bringing out Daniah products is the National Canned Food Products and Trading Company, which prides itself in the technology used, the quality of production and the raw materials sourced carefully and selectively from the most reliable suppliers.
While its many lines are engaged in food processing, the company meets in-house the packaging needs of the products thus processed. It has installed its own can-making division, which makes National Canned Food a more self-sufficient organisation than many of its competitors in the region.
The company is proud of the line. Says a spokesman of the company: “All stages of can-making are controlled and monitored using high-quality internally lacquered tinplate which protects the products and preserves its quality.
“This ensures the cans are in excellent condition during storage.”
Overall, whether it is the making of cans or the processing of food, National Canned Food makes no compromises as regards compliance with Gulf and international standards and specifications, says the spokesman. The food processing, storage and marketing functions also conform to the requirements of the sanitary affairs department of Kuwait’s municipality and the Ministry of Public Health.  Overseeing operations are technical staff highly qualified in the areas entrusted to them, adds the spokesman.
“While National Canned Food produces a variety of canned beans, mushroom, sweet corn, peas and vinegar, among other things, we also trade in such items as black and green olives, tomato ketchup, tomato paste and tuna under our own brand,” says an official of the company, Abu Bakr.
As well as the Gulf states, Daniah products have found their way into Jordan, Syria and Kenya and all the way to the US, says the official.
One of the more recent lines added to the National Canned Food repertoire was the mineral water plant. The water, however, is marketed under the Aqua Gulf brand and as much as three million cartons emerged from the factory in 2006, according to Backer.
Mezzan, the mother company of National Canned Food, is clearly on the march, its brands acquiring a market identity that years of development and marketing skills have earned.
Khazan, for example, is the brand of Conserved Food Distribution Company.  The origins of any Khazan meat snack displayed in a supermarket cooler can be traced to a professionally managed herd in Holland, Ireland or Australia. The halal concept is never lost sight of. As the Khazan spokesman observes: “Once they are cleared by medical experts, our Islamic specialists are entrusted with the responsibility to ensure strict compliance with Islamic halal slaughter. The most appropriate cuts meant for food processing are then packed and shipped to Kuwait where the Health Ministry confirms and approves the quality.”
Once the raw meat arrives at the factory store in Kuwait, it passes through a series of micro-biological tests before and after production.  “Our inhouse laboratory is ever active in its pursuit of quality,” says the spokesman.
The plant, situated in the Subhan Industrial Area, is equipped with the latest in food processing technology from Europe and the US inclusive of the Cryovac vacuum packing system. The plant is designed to process more than 3,000 tonnes of meat products every year.
“We at Khazan consider that the following ethical facets are the most important operational tools: halal-slaughtered quality raw meats, hygiene and quality assurance and constant counselling and appraisal of our staff,” the spokesman says.
Consequently, many customers keen on halal foods consumption and also on flavour can have their pick from burgers in beef, chicken and mutton, nuggets, minced beef and mutton, mortadella and sausages that are lined up under Khazan
Interestingly, Conserved Food Distribution Company produces other items that are far removed from Khazan’s meaty offerings. Coming out of its cake line are such delicacies as Swiss rolls, mini rolls, pound cakes and butter cakes in the frozen range. The specialised equipment includes a German-made continuous oven capable of baking over 14,000 cakes an hour. Then there are machines to flavour, ice and coat the pastries.

Other Mezzan companies:
The Gulf Pastries Manufac-turing Company: An active member of the Middle East and Tourism Company, which is a Jassim Al Wazzan group company, it is well known in the food industry not only in Kuwait but also in many other GCC countries.
Established with state-of-the-art equipment from Europe, the factory produces frozen cakes and pastries in addition to a fresh range of bread and fresh pastries including croissants. A recent addition was a macaroni line.
New offerings including freshly raised yeast donuts and muffin lines are to be introduced. The company has developed a distribution network that ensures its products are readily available throughout Kuwait at competitive prices.
One of the well known products the company makes is the Sara cake, which is exported within the region.

Kuwait Indo-Trading Company
Commonly known as Kitco, the company has a bunny as a logo. The company has more than 40 years’ experience in providing food products to Kuwait’s markets. In 1976, Kitco commenced the production of potato chips, fried pellet snacks, Mexican tortillas and corn chips. “Following the ever-growing demand from Kuwait and overseas markets, Kitco looks overseas for further years of expansion,” says a spokesman. “Kitco now looks to become an international player in snacks.”

Kuwait Biscuit Company
Established in 1980, its range includes biscuits, wafers, cream sandwich biscuits, potato chips, Mexican tortillas and corn chips. The company has an 8,000 sq m cold storage facility.
“Through the experience of our research and development team and with the assistance of our strong sales and marketing division, the Kuwait Biscuits Company is committed to bringing new, quality-enhanced products along with excellent service to its customers,” a spokesman says.

Al Muntaser Shampoo Factory
The company supplies a host of diverse products in the cleaning sector. Says a company spokesman: “The factory has accomplished a great deal of success in working under licence with a group of international companies.”
The product range covers a dish washing liquid, barbecue cleaner, hand liquid soap, grease cutter, floor cleaner and a ghotra and abaya cleaner. The range also includes an all-purpose cleaner, fabric softner, carpet cleaner, glass cleaner, car wash shampoo, a stainless steel cleaner and hair care and detergent products.