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Frequently Asked Questions
What is ISO?
ISO stands for the International Organization for
Standardization. A non-governmental organization headquartered in
Geneva, Switzerland, ISO is a federation of the national standards
bodies for approximately 150 countries, representing the developed,
developing and transitional economies throughout the world. By
developing standards that distill an international consensus from a
broad base of stakeholder groups, ISO standards are widely respected
and accepted in both the private and public sectors.
Who is VeriPrime?
VPI is a Delaware-based, for profit, non-stock, member-owned
cooperative organized to provide its members with the services and
coordination required for members to provide and comply with food
safety standards, food safety assurance and certification, food
traceability and technologies. VeriPrime developed, with consensus
of over 100 industry participants, the VeriPrime Traceability
Assurance System as described in the VeriPrime Standards Manual
What is Chain Traceability?
Chain traceability is the ability to trace the history, application,
or location of a food item by means of record-keeping throughout the
entire food chain. The objectives of the traceability system
certified under VTAS and implemented by participants include:
facilitate implementation of internal traceability (one up/ one
back) to the producer level, provide a commercial mechanism to
specify certified traceable product, support food safety and
quality: document the history or origin of the product, facilitate
withdrawal and/or recall of products; facilitate the verification of
specific information about the product, and communicate traceability
information to relevant stakeholders and consumers.
How far (forward and back)
in the production cycle does each applicant need to be able to
demonstrate traceability to meet the VTAS standard?
To be a VeriPrime Certified Participant, an entity must
demonstrate compliance with the requirements set forth in the VeriPrime
Traceability Assurance System Standards Manual, Section 5. These requirements
constitute a rigorous basis for determination of internal traceability. When
each producer agrees to share internal traceability information, it is possible
to provide seamless chain traceability for all product.
How much does it cost to
become certified?
The sliding fee schedule is based upon operation type and size,
and is available in the Agri Food Certification Quality Manual
posted on this web page.
Does the VTAS Program
prescribe a particular method for animal identification and
tracking?
Neither VeriPrime nor Agri Food Certification prescribe or
endorse a particular hardware solution for the tracking of product. Product,
device, or equipment selection is at the discretion of the producer, as long as
the performance criteria for ID Tags and other ID devices set forth in the VTAS
Standards Manual are met and can be demonstrated.
Where does Agri Food
Certification get its auditors from?
Agri Food seeks auditors who meet minimum education, training and
experiential requirements. Auditors are commonly licensed
veterinarians, graduate and post-graduate students, agricultural
inspectors or auditors from the manufacturing and production
environment. Click here
to view the qualifications for prospective auditors.
How does Agri Food
Certification ensure the impartiality of its inspectors/auditors?
Applicants to serve as Agri Food Certification auditors within
the VeriPrime Traceability Assurance System are subject to
disclosure. This means that all auditors must disclose ongoing
contractual, financial and business arrangements as they pertain to
applicants for certification. Auditors will not be assigned to
conduct on-site audits of premises with which they have a perceived
conflict of interest, whether disclosed or undisclosed. |