Food Fraud Vulnerability Assessment Checklist

Comprehensive food fraud vulnerability assessment for identifying and mitigating economically motivated adulteration risks in the supply chain.

  • Industry: Food Manufacturing
  • Frequency: Annual
  • Estimated Time: 60-90 minutes
  • Role: Quality Assurance/Procurement
  • Total Items: 33
  • Compliance: GFSI Food Fraud, TACCP Guidelines, FDA FSMA

Opportunity for Fraud

Risk factors

  • Complex supply chain with multiple intermediaries?
  • High-value ingredients present?
  • Limited testing/detection methods available?

Historical Incidents

Past fraud cases

  • Known fraud incidents for this ingredient/product?
  • Regulatory alerts for this category?

Economic Factors

Financial drivers

  • Price volatility for ingredients?
  • Supply shortages or constraints?

Mitigation Measures

Control measures

  • Robust supplier approval program?
  • Authenticity testing program?
  • Full supply chain traceability?

Pre-Inspection Information

Initial inspection details and documentation

  • Inspector Name
  • Inspection Date
  • Location / Kitchen Area
  • Inspection Type (Routine/Follow-up/Complaint)
  • Previous inspection date and findings reviewed?

Temperature Control & Monitoring

Verify all temperature-sensitive equipment and food items

  • Refrigerator temperature at or below 41°F (5°C)?
  • Freezer temperature at or below 0°F (-18°C)?
  • Hot holding foods at or above 135°F (57°C)?
  • Thermometers calibrated and functional?
  • Temperature logs current and properly maintained?

Food Handling & Cross-Contamination Prevention

Proper food handling practices and contamination prevention

  • Proper handwashing observed (20 seconds, soap)?
  • Gloves used properly for ready-to-eat foods?
  • Raw and cooked foods properly separated?
  • Color-coded cutting boards used correctly?
  • Allergen cross-contact controls in place?

Food Storage & Labeling

Proper storage, rotation, and labeling of food items

  • FIFO (First In, First Out) rotation followed?
  • All items properly date-labeled?
  • Food stored 6 inches off floor?
  • No expired products in storage?

Sanitation & Cleaning

Verify cleaning and sanitation standards are met

  • Sanitizer at proper concentration (test strips)?
  • Food contact surfaces clean and sanitized?
  • Cleaning schedule current and followed?
  • No signs of pest activity?

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Why Use This Food Fraud Vulnerability Assessment Checklist?

This food fraud vulnerability assessment checklist helps food manufacturing teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for quality assurance/procurement professionals, this checklist covers 33 critical inspection points across 9 sections. Recommended frequency: annual.

Ensures compliance with GFSI Food Fraud, TACCP Guidelines, FDA FSMA. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Food Fraud Vulnerability Assessment Checklist cover?

This checklist covers 33 inspection items across 9 sections: Opportunity for Fraud, Historical Incidents, Economic Factors, Mitigation Measures, Pre-Inspection Information, Temperature Control & Monitoring, Food Handling & Cross-Contamination Prevention, Food Storage & Labeling, Sanitation & Cleaning. It is designed for food manufacturing operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed annual. Each completion takes approximately 60-90 minutes.

Who should use this Food Fraud Vulnerability Assessment Checklist?

This checklist is designed for Quality Assurance/Procurement professionals in the food manufacturing industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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