News that AIB not only audited the Peanut Corporation of America but gave them a Superior rating in 2007 and 2008 has caused quite a shake up in the industry. :mg:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2009-02-04-kellogg-food-supplier-peanuts_N.htm

It not only hurts the reputation of AIB but also those that have been audited by them. We recently received a Superior rating from AIB that now means very little to anyone. :mad:

Luckily we have also been following the path of ISO 22000 and hope to be certified very soon which will help our standing.

I am sure it will also have 3rd party auditors looking a little closer.

Has anyone else out there felt the impact yet?

News that AIB not only audited the Peanut Corporation of America but gave them a Superior rating in 2007 and 2008 has caused quite a shake up in the industry. The document that describes the ratings is attached. We should also note the following from the AIB website:

AIB "Certified" and Certification Information

Many individuals ask about AIB certification or being AIB certified. The most common questions asked are:
Does my company's inspection certification expire?
AIB International does not "certify" a company, we simply issue a certificate of achievement based upon the rating received on the day of the inspection. Our certificates do not "expire", however, most companies request to have a certificate indicating that an inspection occurred within the past year.

AIB International also issues a certificate of participation (one per year) in addition to the achievement certificate for those companies that receive a Superior or Excellent rating.
My company supplies to a manufacturer/retailer and they say we have to be AIB certified. How do we become AIB certified?
If you are in this situation, then it is likely that you need to become an audit client and schedule an AIB GMP inspection (https://www.aibonline.org/auditservices/foodsafety/gmpaudits). A full-time AIB food safety auditor will come to your facility and assess your company's policies, operations, the physical condition of: grounds, buildings, production and storage areas. The AIB GMP audit is not actually a "certification" audit. The auditor will rate you on observations taken the day of the inspection. AIB will issue a full inspection report, and if your facility passes the inspection, a participation certificate will be issued. Facilities achieving a Superior or Excellent will receive a certificate of achievement. All certificates will show your company's name, and the facility location. Certificates with a rating of Superior or Excellent will show the date of the inspection.

AIB audit certificates do not expire. Frequency of audits is not set by AIB. Most manufacturers/retailers require that audits occur annually or bi-annually. Some manufacturers/retailers will also require that you achieve a certain score on an audit, that your audit be unannounced, and/or that you must participate in our HACCP Accreditation program. Bookmark this link, print this page, or copy the text and discuss the exact requirements with your customer so you are sure to meet their needs.
I want to service an AIB audited client and they tell me I have to be AIB certified. How do I become AIB certified?
If you are in this situation, then it is likely you are a pest control contractor. We don't have an official "AIB Certified" program or designation for pest control companies or technicians. If you have had someone tell you that you need to be AIB certified, we apologize for the confusion. Many individuals in the food industry use that phrase when they should, in fact, ask that you be familiar with AIB's inspection standards.

We offer an affordable correspondence course (https://secure.aibonline.org/php/ecomm-catalog.php?catalogNbr=11208) that will educate you on your client's special needs and help you understand AIB's requirements of audited clients. Successful completion of this course requires students to complete 19 exams and maintain an average score of 70%. When this standard is met, a certificate of completion is issued.

It is true that AIB does not provide actual "Certification" but it is readily recognized by many of our customers and their rating meant a lot to our company.

Unfortunately we are already seeing a backlash from customers and even had one customer that requested AIB in the past provide us with a list of other 3rd party auditors.

Unfortunately we are already seeing a backlash from customers and even had one customer that requested AIB in the past provide us with a list of other 3rd party auditors.Don't forget; as mentioned previously, my employer is qualified for many Food Safety Programs:


Animal Feed & Ingredients - GMP+/PDV and FAMI-QS (http://www.dnv.com/industry/food_bev/services_solutions/food_safety/animal_feed_and_ingredients/index.asp)
GLOBALG.A.P. IFA - Aquaculture (http://www.dnv.com/industry/food_bev/services_solutions/food_safety/primary_production/globalgap_ifa_aquaculture.asp)
GLOBALG.A.P. IFA – Fruit and Vegetables (http://www.dnv.com/industry/food_bev/services_solutions/food_safety/primary_production/globalgap_ifa_fresh_fruits_and_vegetables.asp)
ISO 22000 (http://www.dnv.com/industry/food_bev/services_solutions/food_safety/primary_production/iso_22000.asp)
HACCP (http://www.dnv.com/industry/food_bev/services_solutions/food_safety/primary_production/haccp.asp)
BRC Global Standard for Food Safety (http://www.dnv.com/industry/food_bev/services_solutions/food_safety/primary_production/brc_global_standard_for_food_safety.asp)
IFS – International Food Standard (http://www.dnv.com/industry/food_bev/services_solutions/food_safety/primary_production/ifs_international_food_standard.asp)
SQF 1000/2000 – Safety Quality Food Program (http://www.dnv.com/industry/food_bev/services_solutions/food_safety/primary_production/sqf_1000_2000_safety_quality_food_program.asp)
GMA-SAFE (http://www.dnv.com/industry/food_bev/services_solutions/food_safety/primary_production/gma_safe.asp)
BRC Global Standard for Packaging and GMP FEFCO (http://www.dnv.com/industry/food_bev/services_solutions/food_safety/packaging/index.asp)
BRC Global Storage & Distribution and IFS Logistics (http://www.dnv.com/industry/food_bev/services_solutions/food_safety/logistics/index.asp)

For those food suppliers who do business with Wall Mart, they must pay attention to the certification mandates.

See attached article.