GNBS Stakeholder Feature: Maliyah’s Kitchen, A taste of tradition meeting excellent standard requirements

Mithai, Sal Sev and Fudge are beloved Guyanese staples – nostalgic snacks many of us first enjoyed during our school days and still reach for today, whether homemade or neatly packaged on supermarket shelves. It is this enduring love for traditional treats that inspired Maliyah’s Kitchen, a Guyanese business located on Pike Street in Georgetown. Born during the stillness of the COVID-19 pandemic, the venture began when founders Mark and Alyssa Singh turned their passion for authentic local snacks into a new income stream, ultimately transforming it into a thriving enterprise.

Now, the business is successfully certified under the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) Made in Guyana Certification Mark programme and the GYS 901 Certification programme.
Mr Singh recalled that during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the closure of businesses, public transportation and more, the idea was born. “Most of the time was spent at home during the pandemic, and we would watch movies and eat. While purchasing items like mithai, Sal Sev, and fudge, we started paying attention to how other agro-processors and businesses packaged their products. We then said to ourselves, ‘Why don’t we try making and enhancing these products to make them more attractive and into a business?’”
They then decided to start producing Mithai, Milk Powder Fudge, and Sal Sev, aiming to make their snacks stand out from others on the market.
But transforming a cherished passion into a credible business was no easy feat, he emphasised, highlighting that the learning curve was both steep and rewarding. As the entrepreneurs work to scale up production without compromising flavour, securing funds from banks and other financial institutions, accessing markets, and understanding food safety regulations are among their biggest challenges. However, with constant work, he said, “What inspired us to start this venture is to have proper, local, authentic and traditional snacks well-packaged in the supermarkets and shops.”

Determined to preserve authenticity, they adhered to traditional recipes while incorporating modern production techniques to ensure their snacks remain authentic and meet market demands.
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) played a pivotal role in their journey. As the family worked to transition from homemade lunches and snacks for parties and other customers to supermarket shelves, they learnt about the GNBS and its Made in Guyana Standards Mark at a GuyExpo event.
Mr Singh said after learning about the programme and understanding the benefits it could bring to their products, the decision to pursue it came naturally. Following a rigorous process, the business received its certification on April 22, 2024.
“When people, both locally and regionally, hear that you are vetted by the GNBS, they know you have gone through a rigorous process. We always wanted to stand out from everyone else,” the businessman said.
The Made in Guyana standards mark is a registered mark that aims to provide recognition to locally manufactured products. It focuses on enhancing the national competitiveness of authentic Guyanese products certified under the programme, while also building and promoting brand recognition for those products.
Achieving the Made in Guyana Standards Mark boosted the business’s visibility, strengthened consumer confidence, and opened new business opportunities. “It gives you more visibility. It gives more assurance to the consumers and retailers that this is a good product… We feel privileged to know that we have been recognised at that level. We are very proud,” Singh explained.
As the business continued to evolve, Alyssa decided to take another significant step, pursuing certification under the GNBS 901 programme. To her, this programme represented more than compliance; it was a strategic investment in the company’s internal foundation.
This programme is based on the National Standard “GYS 901 – Quality Management System for Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs).” It outlines a quality management system tailored to MSMEs, incorporates essential occupational safety and health requirements, and serves as a stepping stone to ISO 9001:2015 certification.
Achieving this certification, she said, is a milestone that reflects the brand’s maturity and direction. “I think it is a very positive development for us and MSMEs. It is a proud moment. It is a great accomplishment. I feel honoured to have it. I will adhere to the rules you have to follow to keep the standards. It is something I want to do because it helps to make my business better and manage paperwork…” Alyssa said.
The business received its certification on November 26 at the GNBS’ National Quality Awards (NQA) ceremony. The certificate was handed over by Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips to Alyssa and Mark Singh.
Having worked with the Bureau on two certification programmes, she noted that the agency’s staff were very encouraging. “You guys helped us 100 per cent. Whenever we needed help, we could have called anytime and were provided with assistance. The team guided us every step of the way,” she shared.
For other small businesses considering certification with the GNBS, she offers simple yet powerful advice: “Start early, stay committed, and don’t shy away from the process.”
Looking ahead, Maliyah’s Kitchen GY has no intention of slowing down. Plans include expanding the product line, increasing production capacity, building a more substantial online presence, and entering regional markets, while continuing to serve authentic Guyanese flavours and uphold the highest standards of excellence.
Businesses thinking about applying for the Made in Guyana Standards Mark or any other GNBS certification can contact the GNBS’s Certification Services Department. The application forms, along with detailed requirements, can be found on the GNBS website https://gnbsgy.org/certification/
For further information, please contact GNBS on telephone numbers 219-0064-66 or WhatsApp 692-4627 or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org.