Food Fraud Initial Screening  (the first step of a full vulnerability assessment)

• The “Food Fraud Initial Screening Tool (FFIS)” (Spink, Et. Al, 2016) was created to provide a method for starting the Food Fraud Vulnerability Assessment compliance requirements, such as for GFSI-based food safety management systems (e.g., FSSC 22000, SQF, BRC/ BRCGS, IFS, and others) and other compliance requirements. The FFIS covers all types of Food Fraud, which is broader than some other FFVAs since it includes stolen goods, smuggling, intellectual property rights counterfeiting, as well as the entire supply chain from incoming goods through outgoing goods.
• Deliverable: The workshop is presented in an interactive PowerPoint, and the assessment is entered into a spreadsheet that serves as the finished product. Throughout the workshop we fill in two FFIS matrices, one for incoming goods and one for outgoing goods. We will also address issues related to scope and scale. When we hit “save” at the end of the workshop, you will have your completed FFIS. That is, you will have an answer to the possible auditor question of: “Yes or no: Do you have a Food Fraud Vulnerability Assessment for all your products and all types of fraud?” The final matrices are provided at the end of the workshop. A refined follow-up report is provided within five business days of the end of the engagement. A call is usually set to discuss the results. This is an “initial screen” vulnerability assessment, so your internal compliance requirements will probably require further development and refinement. From previous experience, it appears to meet   FSMA and GFSI compliance. To note, the FFIS tool and workshop are based on our 2016 peer-review journal article “Introducing the Food Fraud Initial Screening Tool (FFIS)” (Spink, Et. A., 2016).  This citation is important to state in audits, inspections, or investigations (or internal defense of the method!), and we can be listed as “External Reviewers.”
• Time Commitment: The entire project is conducted in a half day. There is no pre-work required provided or required. The questions are provided before the meeting. There is usually a warm-up call so we can set our scope and then a second call, so you get comfortable with the process. I typically polish up the matrices within the week following the workshop. This is a half-day workshop and is a blitz that considers insight from only the subject matter expert meeting attendees.
• Fee: The standard project rate applies.
• Scheduling: Arranged, with rapid scheduling available.

For questions, rates, or to schedule, contact: [email protected] or [email protected]