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| Founded | 1989 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | , USA |
| Services | Organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, natural personal care, and social responsibility certifications. |
| Parent | NSF International |
| Website | www |
Quality Assurance International (QAI) is a United States-based internationalorganic certification company that is authorized by theUnited States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as "a USDA-accredited certifying agent that operates globally to certify organic operations toNational Organic Program standards."[1] It is a for-profitcorporation, established in 1989, and headquartered inSan Diego, California. It is one of the world's largest certifiers, operating as of 2011 in the United States, Canada, Latin America, theEuropean Union, and Japan.[2]
QAI offersorganic certification under theNational Organic Program for agricultural producers, food processing facilities, integrated manufacturing operations, contract packing operations, traders, distributors, retailers, and ultimately consumers.[3]
QAI, in partnership with National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA),[4] developed a science-basedgluten-free certification program.[5]
The nature of the QAI certification protocols ensures prevention of contamination and co-mingling, critically important for those with allergies to gluten and gluten-intolerance. The QAI and NFCA "Gluten-Free" certification program requires companies to produce products at less than 10 parts per million (ppm) of gluten to receive certification.[6]
Under this program, products with a minimum organic content of 70 percent (070) that meet the requirements can make the organic label and marketing claim of "Contains Organic Ingredients". These products can bear the uniqueNSF/ANSI 305 "Contains Organic Ingredients" mark. TheOrganic Trade Association considers certification to this standard a best practice. It is required by some retailers for personal care products that do not meet the National Organic Program standard for food.[7]
As an accredited certifying agent under theUSDA'sNational Organic Program, QAI is also accredited by the USDA forISO 65 compliance, theJapan Ministry of Agriculture Forestry for JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standard) compliance, andLe Conseil des appellations reservées et des termes valorisants [fr] (CARTV).[8]
QAI offers joint certification to theBritish Retail Consortium (BRC), Safe Quality Food (SQF) andFSSC 22000 globalfood safety standards, which is required by many retailers under theGlobal Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).[9]
QAI holds the following accreditations:[10]
QAI achievedISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems accreditation in June 2010.[11] ISO 14001 registration verifies that QAI has effective procedures in place to monitor and continuously improve its environmental performance. To obtain ISO 14001 registration, QAI reduced energy and raw material use; implemented a paperless documentation and billing management system; developed a recycling program for paper,plastic containers andbags, electronics, mercury-containing light bulbs and batteries; and instituted acomposting program forcoffee grounds,tea bags and fruit/vegetablefood scraps.[12]
QAI works with other leading food safety and quality organizations. As a result, QAI is able to provide additional services:[13]
QAI is also active in theOrganic Trade Association (OTA) to help protect and promote organic practices. QAI Senior Vice President Joe Smillie has served as OTA president and as a member of the board of directors. QAI President Kristen Holt currently serves on the board of directors as treasurer.[14]
In July 2008, it was reported that organic powdered ginger that had been certified by QAI, was found when tested to be contaminated with the banned pesticideAldicarb. The organic ginger from which the QAI certified organic powdered ginger originated had been certified organic by two other USDA accredited certifying agents in China.[15] Under Chinese law, foreigners may not inspect Chinese farms.[16]
[Dr. Lynn Goldman, Johns Hopkins University's School of Public Health:] 'Ginger with Aldicarb is not legal food.' In fact, the California Health Department warned consumers that this pesticide can cause nausea, headache and blurred vision....even at low levels.
