Interview from Mr. Haja Funyamin Managing Director
Hafa Foods and Frozen Foodsis an organisation managed by experts in the field with constant pursuit of quality, quantity, and vision to metamorphose into a mega manufacturer and exporter of Frozen F ood products in Chennai.
Fresh n Frozen : How many years has Hafa Foods been in the Industry?
Haja Funyamin: Hafa Foods has been actively operating for over 20 years, steadily growing its presence in the Indian frozen food market. The journey began with a strong focus on samosa branding and distribution, and over the years, the company expanded its portfolio under the names Hafa Frozen Foods International Pvt. Ltd., Alhafa Foods, and Samosa Express. With a clear vision and dedicated approach, the brand now successfully manages packing and delivery operations across India, catering to the demands of distributors, retailers, and supermarkets throughout the country.
FNF: Why did you choose to start a business in the frozen food industry?
HF: The decision to enter the frozen food industry was inspired by observing consumer behaviour and market demand, especially among distributors, local shop owners, and supermarkets. The founder saw that frozen foods were not just a convenience but a growing part of everyday consumption across all segments of society. Recognizing this, Hafa Foods was established to provide affordable, ready-to-cook frozen products that match the fast paced lifestyle of modern consumers. This vision has helped the brand grow steadily while staying rooted in customer-centric innovation
FNF: What was your first product when the company launched?
HF: The very first product launched by Hafa Foods was the samosa, which quickly became a customer favorite. With its perfect blend of traditional taste and modern packaging, the samosa laid the foundation for the company’s success. Over time, the product range expanded, but the samosa continues to hold a special place in the brand’s story and remains one of its best-selling items to this day. Which brand name do you promote under Hafa Foods? Hafa Foods promotes its products under the flagship brand Hafa Frozen Foods International Pvt. Ltd. This brand name represents a commitment to quality, hygiene, and consistency in delivering delicious frozen food products to homes, hotels, restaurants, and distributors. The brand stands for trust and has built a reputation for supplying reliable and safe frozen food across India and beyond.
FNF: What were some early challenges you faced while building this company?
HF: Interestingly, the company did not face any major internal operational difficulties during its early days. However, one of the key external challenges was managing the pollution around the factory’s outer environment, which posed logistical and environmental concerns. Despite this, Hafa Foods navigated the challenge successfully by focusing on maintaining high standards of cleanliness and safety within the production unit. This commitment helped the brand overcome early obstacles and build a solid operational foundation.
FNF : How many days do your frozen food products stay fresh?
HF: Our frozen food products are designed with quality and longevity in mind, offering a freshness window of 11 to 12 months from the date of packaging. This duration varies slightly based on the ingredients used, storage conditions, and whether the product is vegetarian or non-vegetarian. Through rigorous quality control and proper freezing methods, we ensure that our products retain their original taste, texture, and nutritional value throughout the shelf life.
FNF: What is the ideal temperature to store your products — room temperature, refrigerator, or deep freezer?
HF: Our products must be stored at –18°C (minus 18 degrees Celsius) at all times. This deep-freeze temperature is essential to maintain food safety, prevent bacterial growth, and lock in the product’s freshness. Whether it is during production, storage, transportation, or at the customer end, maintaining this temperature is a top priority for us.
FNF: Are your products safe for children to consume regularly?
HF: Yes, absolutely. At Hafa Foods, product safety is our top priority, and we ensure that all items are safe for daily consumption, including by children. We follow strict hygiene and preservation protocols so that our frozen foods are healthy, reliable, and free from harmful substances or contaminants.
FNF : Can you tell us about the quality standards followed when using preservatives in your frozen food items?
HF: Our approach to preservation is guided by safety and compliance. We utilize a deep frozen storage system to maintain product safety instead of relying on heavy preservatives. Our products are preserved in temperature-controlled rooms that meet food safety standards, ensuring that freshness is naturally maintained without overuse of chemicals.
FNF : How do you fix or decide the expiry date for each product?
HF: We determine the expiry date based on several factors, including the type of ingredients used, packaging material, and freezing conditions. Each batch undergoes shelf-life testing in real-time storage environments. We also follow FSSAI guidelines and internal safety benchmarks to ensure the expiry period reflects actual product integrity, typically ranging from five to eleven months.
FNF: What kind of machinery do you use in food preparation and packaging?
HF: Our facility is equipped with semi-automatic food processors, dough mixers, forming machines, and vacuum sealers. For packaging, we use nitrogen-flush packing machines that help maintain freshness. Each machine is selected to suit the product’s texture and consistency requirements while supporting hygienic and efficient operations.
FNF: Is your production fully automated or does it include manual work?
HF: Our production process is a hybrid model, combining both automated machinery and manual handling. While machines are used for preparation and partial packaging, final packing and quality checks are done by hand to maintain close supervision and personal oversight. This helps us uphold hygiene and ensure attention to detail.
FNF: What freezing or preservation technology do you follow to maintain product quality?
HF: We use Deep Unicool Freezers (Large capacity) as our primary preservation technology. These industrial-grade freezers are specifically designed to handle bulk food storage while maintaining a consistent –18°C environment, crucial for retaining product texture, nutrition, and safety across the supply chain.
FNF: How do you maintain hygiene and safety in your production unit?
HF: Strict hygiene protocols are part of our daily routine. All staff are required to wear head caps and hand gloves during production and packaging. We also ensure the facility is cleaned and sanitized regularly, and food handling areas follow safety norms that meet FSSAI regulations.
FNF: Is your company certified by FSSAI or any other food safety authority?
HF: Yes, we are officially certified by FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India), ensuring that all our practices, ingredients, and production protocols align with national food safety standards.
FNF: Do you conduct regular quality testing for your products?
HF: Yes, quality testing is a routine part of our operations. Products undergo checks at multiple stages — from raw material sourcing to final packing — to ensure they meet our internal standards as well as government guidelines for food safety and hygiene.
FNF: Do you export your products internationally or focus only on the domestic Indian market?
HF: Hafa Foods caters to both domestic and international markets. While our distribution network covers major Indian states, we also fulfil export orders, enabling global consumers to enjoy our ready-to cook frozen delights. Our export packaging and handling methods are designed to maintain quality across borders.
FNF: How does your company integrate sustainability into its supply chain practices, and what steps are taken to ensure that suppliers meet environmental and social responsibility standards?
HF: At Hafa Foods, we take pride in having built a strong and socially responsible brand presence across India, especially in key markets such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and other regions. Our supply chain reflects our values by prioritising local sourcing, responsible partnerships, and environmentally conscious logistics wherever possible. We maintain close relationships with our vendors and suppliers to ensure they align with our ethical and sustainability values. This includes minimising waste, using energy-efficient freezing methods, and ensuring compliance with food safety and environmental regulations. Our reputation in the market, built through consistent and ethical practices, reflects the positive social impact of our operations.
FNF: In what ways does your company support local communities through CSR initiatives, and how do you measure the impact of these initiatives?
HF: Hafa Foods actively participates in corporate social responsibility (CSR) through various food donation and distribution drives. These initiatives are aimed at supporting underprivileged communities and local markets, where we provide essential food items as part of our contribution to society. Our presence in the community goes beyond business—we aim to foster positive social engagement wherever we operate. The impact of our CSR efforts is seen in the strong local relationships we’ve cultivated and in the trust our brand enjoys among customers and partners throughout India.
FNF : Can you explain how your company engages employees in CSR efforts and fosters a culture of corporate responsibility within the workplace?
HF: We strongly believe that our employees are the backbone of our success, and we strive to create a work environment that feels as comfortable and secure as one’s own home. This family-like culture encourages our staff to participate in social initiatives and take pride in being part of a socially conscious organisation. Hafa Foods promotes employee well-being, engagement, and inclusion by involving staff in both internal welfare activities and external CSR programs. The positive atmosphere we cultivate in the workplace ensures that our team is motivated not just professionally, but also personally, to contribute to meaningful causes and uphold the company’s values.