Handler Certification Process

STEP 1: Read Criteria and Procedures

For a clear understanding of the Food Alliance Certification program for processors, packers, and distributors, read the Handler Criteria and Procedures (PDF) >>

Step 2: Application

Download application materials to print and mail (PDF). To ensure your application is complete:

• Answer all of the questions
• Sign the application documents where required
  
• Provide any necessary supporting documentation
• Include payment for the application fee.

STEP 3: Site Inspection

Once we have reviewed your application, Food Alliance will forward the documents to an independent inspector who will contact you to schedule a site inspection.  During the site inspection, the inspector will tour the operation and facilities, interview managers and key staff,  and review relevant records to evaluate performance against the certification standards, using the handler evaluation criteria.

STEP 4: Inspection Report

After the site visit, the auditor will submit a site report to Food Alliance.

STEP 5: Certification Decision

Once the site report is received, Food Alliance will make the certification decision and inform you of that decision by mail. You will receive both a letter specifying the status of your application and a copy of the site report.

• Grievance Policy If you feel that the site inspector’s findings are unfair or inaccurate, you may submit a request for re-evaluation to Food Alliance. A request must be made in writing within 30 days of receiving the official site report, detailing the perceived inaccuracies of the site inspection. Applicants should also state whether or not they would like to be inspected by a different site inspector. Re-inspections of this nature will be provided to you at no cost. No further appeals will be accepted.  However, you may reapply after you have made changes to your operation as suggested in the site report.
  

STEP 6: Maintaining Certification

• Term of the Certification
  The term of certification for processors and distributors is one year. The official start date will be specified in the certification letter along with the products that may be labeled as Food Alliance certified.
• Ongoing Compliance and Verification
  This certification is designed to provide a basis for marketplace claims of environmental and social responsibility.  In order to ensure the certification criteria are being met at all times, Food Alliance reserves the right, at its own cost,  to conduct unscheduled audits of participating handlers. Operations are either selected at random or  based on specific concerns  identified in the initial inspection.

• Suspension and Revocation
  If doubts are raised that an operation is not adhering to the certification standards, Food Alliance staff will investigate. If that investigation confirms the certification standards are not being met, that operation's certification will be suspended. Food Alliance will provide the operation's managers the reason(s) for  suspension, specific steps for restoring certification, and a timeline for making the necessary changes. If the violation is remedied within the timeframe,  certification will be restored. Otherwise, the certification will be revoked.