Processed Food Inspections, Certification and Audits

Quality Control Tailored for the Processed Food Industry

The term "processed food" covers thousands of food products found in every home, from simple bread and cheese to ready-made meals. The ever-growing consumer demand for variety results in constant expansion of the processed foods product range. Consequently, more manufacturing processes are used routinely, and more sophisticated quality control methods are needed to ensure that every ingredient maintains its quality and safety through all processing stages, and that finished products are packaged and stored safely.

QIMA's supplier audits and product inspections are designed to help food brands and retailers secure their supply chains. We offer inspections at multiple stages of the production process and comprehensive audits of manufacturing facilities, and certification under a number of internationally recognized schemes. QIMA's fast and reliable quality assurance services help you comply with international food safety requirements and the regulations of your destination market.

Our specialized food inspectors can perform quality and safety checks on all categories of processed food, including, but not limited to:

• bread, bakery, flour and baking mixes

• breakfast cereals, pasta, dry goods

• cheese, yoghurt, butter, and dairy snacks

• meat and poultry products, including sausages and hotdogs

• fish and seafood products (prepared, smoked, dried, salted)

• ready meals, instant food, microwave dinners, and frozen food

• baby food and infant formula

• tinned fruit, vegetables, beans

• pickles, jams, preserves, and soups

• canned meat and fish

• sauces, spices, oil, and condiments

• sweet and savory snacks

• dried fruit and nuts

• beverages

• pet food

Processed Food Audits

QIMA offers comprehensive supplier audit programs, allowing you to receive an accurate picture of your supplier’s compliance, practices, and quality management system.

Hygiene audits (GHP) are designed to ensure that your processed food suppliers’ facilities abide with international regulations on hygiene.

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) audits help you achieve GMP compliance and secure safety in your food processing supply chain.

Quality Management System audits provide you with a full picture of your supplier’s quality management and oversight processes.

Ethical Audits, which are especially relevant for food components sourced overseas, help you achieve social compliance and eliminate any instances of labor abuse from your supply chain.

International Certification Schemes for Processed Food

QIMA, through our subsidiary QIMA/WQS, can audit your processes and systems against the requirements of applicable standards and help you achieve certification under the following schemes:

• HACCP (Hazard analysis and critical control points)

• GFSI approved schemes

  • SQF

  • BRC Global Standards

  • IFS

  • PrimusGFS

• Animal welfare certification schemes

• Certification programs for coffee:

  • UTZ

  • 4C

Processed Food Inspection Expertise

QIMA quality control provides you with reliable information on the quality and safety of your processed food products, at different stages of the manufacturing process and before the finished product is shipped. Our inspectors follow detailed protocols that combine regulatory standards with our extensive know-how and your in-house specifications.

In our sampling process, we follow the guidelines of the WHO Food Code (the Codex Alimentarius) and the internationally recognized ANSI/ASQC Z1.4 (ISO 2859-1) sampling procedure. This ensures that every sample we collect is an objective representation of your shipment.

Solutions for Processed Food Safety

• On-site inspections, production monitoring and process control

• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and hygiene (GHP) audits