ANNOUNCEMENT – Primer on Organic Product Fraud Audit Guide

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If you handle or sell organic products, this Primer on Organic Product Fraud Audit Guide  is a very helpful list of 20 questions to prepare for an inspection or conduct a self-assessment. The primer and questions were developed with the Organic Trade Association for the free online training that was prepared for the USDA National Organic Program (see links below to the USDA courses).

The primer document includes 20 questions recommended for USDA Inspectors in support of the National Organic Program (NOP). It is a basic starting point for an inspection or audit.

Organic product fraud has become a more important focus for inspectors, certifiers, auditors, and the food companies. This USDA compliance requirement applies to organic product fraud prevention and builds upon previous food fraud prevention research aligned with the Global Food Safety Initiative scope, plus a wide range of other compliance requirements such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SARBOX) and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The first step for implementing a new management system such as fraud prevention is to “just get started” and create opportunities for continuous improvement. As with the GFSI requirements, a “yes or no” survey is an efficient and optimal way to start broad compliance and adoption efforts. This primer document includes the Organic Product Fraud Inspection Survey Questions – 20 questions presented in three parts.

Audit Guide for Inspections or a Self-Assessment: 20 Questions in Three Parts

  • Optimal Inspection Plan: Part I – Simple Questions about the Scope:
    • This first part was based on the GFSI-related food fraud compliance requirements adapted for Organic Product Fraud (asking “yes or no” questions to start).
  • Optimal Inspection Plan: Part II – A. Documentation and Methods:
    • Building upon the more general product fraud and food fraud concepts in Part I, this section includes more specific organic questions.
  • Optimal Inspection Plan: Part II – B. Implementation:
    • Building upon the more general product fraud and food fraud concepts in Part I, this section includes more specific organic questions.

Call to Action

Over the years, food fraud and organic product fraud compliance requirements are increasing. Auditors and inspectors are becoming more familiar with the topic, and their expectations are also increasing. The understanding of what makes a “good” or “great” product fraud prevention strategy is rightfully increasing. We all expect more of the product fraud prevention strategies.

Be proactive and use this primer to prepare for an organic inspection or conduct a more general self-assessment. See the link.

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