A conversation with Saumya Jayakody, Quality Assurance Manager at New Anthoney’s Farms
New Anthoney’s is not just redefining poultry in Sri Lanka. It is rewriting the very DNA of food safety, sustainability, and scientific integrity in the industry. As the country’s first poultry brand to achieve the prestigious FSSC 22000 certification, and the creator of HarithaHari, Sri Lanka’s first 100% antibiotic-free chicken brand, New Anthoney’s is setting the pace for a radical transformation in how we think about what ends up on our plate.
Here is Saumya Jayakody, Quality Assurance Manager at New Anthoney’s, to delve into the science, ethos, and unwavering standards that are powering this poultry revolution.
Q. What makes New Anthoney’s HarithaHari chicken the cleanest, healthiest choice for Sri Lankan families?
“At New Anthoney’s, we start with a very fundamental belief: that good food should never come with compromise,” says Saumya. “This means removing antibiotics, hormones, preservatives, and artificial growth promoters entirely from the equation.”
Their flocks are raised in environments designed with stringent biosecurity protocols, ensuring disease prevention is achieved through control and care rather than drugs. Every stage, from hatchery to farm to final processing, undergoes rigorous monitoring, including regular microbial and chemical residue testing at accredited third-party laboratories. The feed is 100% natural and formulated in collaboration with animal nutritionists to ensure the highest nutritional value without the use of synthetic additives.
“We look at it as a closed-loop system where health, cleanliness, and nutrition reinforce one another,” Saumya explains. “This is why our HarithaHari chicken is not just free of harmful substances, but is also naturally rich in essential nutrients like protein, selenium, and B vitamins.”
Q. What sets New Anthoney’s apart from traditional poultry producers?
“We’re not here to tweak the system; we’re here to rethink it entirely,” she says boldly. While many in the poultry industry still rely on practices that prioritize volume over value, New Anthoney’s has embraced a science-led, sustainability-driven philosophy.
The flagship HarithaHari chicken is not only antibiotic-free but is also tested for heavy metals, pesticide residues, and other toxins; a level of transparency and accountability rarely seen in the local poultry industry. Equally bold is their use of compostable packaging, making them the first poultry brand in Sri Lanka to introduce an end-to-end sustainable approach from farm to fork.
“It’s not just about clean chicken. It’s about clean practices, clean packaging, and a cleaner planet.”
Q. How do you ensure that your quality and food safety standards remain world-class?
According to Saumya, their quality assurance framework goes far beyond just ticking compliance boxes. “We work under a risk-based food safety management system that integrates FSSC 22000, ISO 22000, and HACCP standards. This allows us to pre-emptively identify, assess, and eliminate food safety hazards.”
Their internal quality control includes daily inspection protocols, advanced traceability systems, cold chain integrity audits, and microbiological testing aligned with international standards. Every process is reviewed and optimized continuously, supported by automated systems and dedicated food safety teams.
“And we don’t work in isolation,” she adds. “We collaborate with scientific partners, independent labs, and regulatory bodies to stay ahead of both local and international requirements.”
Q. Why should consumers trust New Anthoney’s and its HarithaHari chicken with their health?
“We understand that trust is earned, not claimed. That’s why everything we do is rooted in transparency and science,” Saumya says.
New Anthoney’s holds multiple certifications that validate its credibility on a global level. But more than logos and labels, what sets them apart is their commitment to third-party verification. Moreover, the company holds the ISO 14064-1 certification, which enables them to monitor, control, and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. “We want people to know that they can nourish their families without compromising the planet.”
Q. How is New Anthoney’s innovating through science and collaboration?
“Innovation at New Anthoney’s is rooted in science, not slogans,” Saumya affirms. The company has invested in R&D facilities and partners with veterinary universities, microbiologists, and environmental scientists to continuously refine their practices. From gut health to feed conversion ratios to antimicrobial resistance research, New Anthoney’s is on the frontier of applying scientific knowledge to commercial poultry farming.
They also actively engage with local and international academic institutions to develop data-driven insights and implement them in practical, scalable ways. “It’s about fusing practical farming wisdom with cutting-edge science to produce chicken that’s not only safe and nutritious but also future-proof,” she adds.
Q. How is New Anthoney’s shaping the industry conversation in Sri Lanka?
“We see ourselves as advocates for systemic change,” says Saumya. The company plays a vocal role in educating consumers, suppliers, and even competitors on the importance of cleaner food production. Whether it’s engaging in public dialogue on antibiotic resistance or lobbying for better food labelling laws, New Anthoney’s takes its role seriously.
They have conducted nationwide campaigns and collaborated with healthcare professionals to raise awareness around the dangers of chemically treated meat. “Our message is simple: clean food is not a luxury; it’s a right.”
Q. Why should Sri Lankans choose New Anthoney’s?
“When you choose New Anthoney’s and our HarithaHari chicken range, you’re choosing more than a brand. You’re choosing a food system that prioritizes your health, your family’s future, and the planet,” Saumya says.
She summarizes the brand’s ethos with confidence: “Antibiotic-free. Hormone-free. Ethical. Transparent. Science-led. We don’t just raise chickens. We raise the standards for an entire industry.”
With bold thinking, bold science, and bold purpose, New Anthoney’s isn’t just selling poultry. It’s leading a protein revolution that puts health, sustainability, and ethics at the center of every bite.
Welcome to the future of clean food. Welcome to New Anthoney’s.
