Free tool for assessment of food fraud vulnerability

SSAFE, in partnership with the University of Wageningen RIKILT, the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and PwC, has developed a free tool with a clear, robust and effective methodology to help food companies undertake food fraud vulnerability assessments.

The tool can help any company, irrespective of geographic location, size or type of food operation, undertake a food fraud vulnerability assessment and to prepare a control plan.

The tool is be available in three versions — in Excel, on the web and as an app — and is free of charge.

Food fraud is a growing issue facing the food industry today, especially in the current challenging economic times and with food supply becoming ever more global. Whereas the driver might be economic gain, food fraud incidents can lead to a public health threat. The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), a key partner of SSAFE, has recently included new requirements in its Guidance Document that require organisations to have a documented food fraud vulnerability assessment procedure in place and implement measures to mitigate the public health risks that may result from the identified vulnerabilities.

The new tool refers to food fraud as intentional food adulteration (dilution, substitution, concealment, unapproved enhancements, mislabelling) and counterfeiting for economic gain only.

This tool can support companies in the implementation of the new GFSI requirements for food fraud mitigation. The tool can be used to assess the vulnerability to fraud at an ingredient, product, brand, facility, country or company-wide level and, where applicable, major direct suppliers and customers.

The following Decision Tree can be used help determine where to apply the tool.

Visit www.ssafe-food.org to download the free tool.