Successful outcome for international spices importers

Our client is an international company that imports spices and other ingredients in bulk. They break these down into single spice packets for the national retailers as well as creating blends for caterers.

The products are imported with laboratory certificates of authenticity.

Packets of single ground spices were purchased from several retailers and subjected to analysis using NIR/ FTIR spectral fingerprints. This identified that the product contained extraneous material and it was not 100% single ground spice. The levels of material was sufficient to indicate that adulteration with starches had been added to bulk out the product before being imported. Whether this was added fraudulently needed to be identified. It also challenging the veracity of the laboratory certificates provided on importation.

Assisted the client to develop a supply chain audit to ensure that all suppliers are providing the product which was specified, ordered and paid for. This audit also ensures that suppliers are focussed on removing process control anomalies and manufacturing carryover.