QAI Launches New Multiple Audit Program at Expo West to Help Companies Reduce Time and Costs When Pursuing Multiple Certifications

QAI only accredited certifier in North America to offer streamlined certification services to companies earning Organic, Global Food Safety and Gluten Free certifications

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) March 05, 2012

With more than 90 combined years of organic and food safety experience, Quality Assurance International (QAI) and its parent company NSF International, will unveil a tri-fold Multiple Audit Program, or MAP, at this year's Natural Products Expo West, March 9-11, at the Anaheim Convention Center, booth #2133.

QAI is the only accredited certifier in North America to offer a streamlined and consolidated approach to companies achieving multiple certifications such as Organic, Gluten Free and Global Food Safety certifications. The QAI MAP reduces the time and costs associated with achieving multiple certifications through bundling field audits, testing and other certification support services.

Many companies now face new regulations that require numerous audits and inspections from multiple providers. For example, many leading retailers in the US and Europe now require their food suppliers – both organic and conventional – to earn certification to Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)-benchmarked standards such as SQF (Safe Quality Food), BRC (British Retail Consortium) and GLOBALG.A.P. With more than 25,000 global food safety certifications performed annually, QAI and NSF International are uniquely positioned to provide companies with certification to these global food safety standards in addition to organic, gluten free and other certification services.

"With the new US-EU equivalency agreement, certification to GFSI-benchmarked food safety standards is more important than ever for those organic food companies intending to sell their products to leading global retailers,” said Jaclyn Bowen, General Manager for QAI. "QAI's Multiple Audit Program reduces the time and costs to companies needing multiple audits and certifications, a reality in today's health-conscious and global regulatory environment.”

The three pillars of MAP include Organic, Gluten-free and Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)-benchmarked certification services. Along with the three pillars of MAP, companies can choose to add on other auditing and certification services supplied by QAI and NSF International. These programs include:

• Food safety auditing and technical services
• Food safety training
• Seafood safety and quality auditing services
• Local Farm Assurance
• Kosher certification
• Personal care product certification to USDA Organic and NSF/ANSI 305: Contains Organic Ingredients Standards
• Dietary Supplement Certifications
• EcoSocial
• Non-GMO Project
• Sustainable product claims verification

For more information about these services, you can also contact Jonathan Lackie at 858-200-9708 or jlackie(at)qai-inc(dot)com.

About QAI (Quality Assurance International): Founded in 1989, QAI is the leading provider of organic certification services verifying organic integrity throughout the supply chain (qai-inc.com). Additional certification services include gluten-free, kosher, non-GMO, natural personal care, social responsibility and food safety through its parent company NSF International. QAI remains dedicated to the environment, while providing educational outreach to the organic community, customers and consumers. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., the company has grown to include operations in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Japan and the European Union.

About NSF International: NSF International is an independent organization that writes standards, tests and certifies products for the food, water and consumer goods industries to minimize adverse health effects and protect the environment (nsf.org). Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide. NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment.

NSF's Global Food Safety and Quality division is the leading global provider of professional services to help businesses address food industry challenges while accessing new markets. The NSF International Global Food Safety and Quality division provides experienced and accredited services to each supply chain sector including agriculture, fresh produce, livestock, poultry, processed foods, seafood, dairy, organic foods, packaging and distribution, restaurants, retail and foodservice equipment.

Additional NSF International services include dietary supplement testing and certification delivered through the NSF Health Sciences division; management systems registrations delivered through NSF International Strategic Registrations (NSF-ISR); drinking water product certification through the NSF Water Division; sustainability services through NSF Sustainability, consumer and private label product testing and certification through the NSF Consumer Products division; and NSF Education and Training programs.

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