Switz launches 'Happy Hen'

Switz Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., launched the 'Happy Hen' brand of Eggs and raised the bar in the production and supply of eggs to the Sri Lankan consumer.

An ultra-modern, integrated layer farm with the scale of operations to carry out new concepts in egg production, poultry nutrition, mechanization and poultry housing, has been set up in Madurankuliya in the Puttalam district.

The chief guest at the launch, Neomal Perera, Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said: "I have been made aware that the current project is a 150,000 bird layer farm with most of the infrastructure work completed.

The total employment generated by this company inclusive of the farm, packaging plant and the feed mill amounts to 80 workers and 10 staff.

Under the Mahinda Chinthana programme, I encourage companies to follow suit as Switz Lanka to set up in the Puttalam District, creating employment to the people and development of the area in general." Speaking at the launch, Shiraz Jeevunjee, Director of Swtiz Lanka said; "An important aspect is that it has been set up with great care for the environment.

Our intention is to be one of the largest egg producers in Sri Lanka with access to all segments of the egg market and its integrated products resulting in sustainable production of eggs.

The land maybe owned by the company, but it belongs to the future generations". Elaborating further Jeevunjee said; "Eggs are perhaps the most important but under-rated food product in the Sri Lankan diet, whereas it is the most reasonably priced source of high quality protein.

It has significant quantities of minerals such as zinc, iron, iodine and phosphorous. Eggs contain 85 calories of energy with 5.0 grams of fat".

"Health-wise the myth that the cholesterol in eggs results in elevated serum cholesterol has been disproved which led nutrition and health advisories around the world to remove previous restrictions on egg consumption.

Trans-fats and Saturated fats have an adverse effect on serum cholesterol. A large egg has only 1.54 grams of saturated fat which has a negligible impact".

"Currently, most consumers have no option but to purchase eggs which are unhygienic, non uniform in weight and stored under poor conditions.

The organized, branded, well packed eggs are only 3% of the market and generally target the high end consumer.

There is a strong untapped demand from the average consumer for a clean, hygienically produced egg at a reasonable price".

"There is a large scope for branded, hygienic, brown golden yolk eggs of uniform weight packaged for a premium market as well as branded hygienic eggs of uniform weight packaged for the mass market.