“Certified Organic By QAI”

Retail labels making a “100% Organic,” “Organic” or “Made with Organic (specified ingredients or food groups)” claims are subject to several requirements under the National Organic Program (NOP).  Per 7 CFR Part 205.303(b)(2) and 205.304(b)(2), labels must carry the “Certified Organic By…” statement.

The term "Certified Organic By" is to be followed by the name of the certifying entity and must be placed on the information panel below or otherwise near the information identifying the handler or distributor’s name. No other printed material or information may be placed between the certifying agent’s name and the name of the manufacturer or distributor.

Below are frequently asked questions about the “Certified Organic By…” statement:

Can I use the QAI logo instead of spelling out QAI? 

 “Certified Organic By ”

Yes, the QAI logo is a registered trademark and represents QAI.  You may also spell out QAI’s full name, “Certified Organic by Quality Assurance International.”

What if my product is certified by two certification agencies?  Am I allowed to say it is certified organic by both?  For Example:  “Certified Organic By QAI and WSDA”.

Although there are advantages and benefits to just using QAI, you are allowed to use both long as you can provide certification documentation showing that the final product is certified by both certification agencies. 

Am I allowed to put my registered trademark between the “Certified Organic By” statement and the name of the manufacturer or distributor?

Yes, as long as it is a registered trademark that represents the manufacturer or distributor.

Can I just say “Certified By QAI” and not have the word “organic” listed?

Yes.

Is “Organically Certified By QAI” okay?

Yes.  Both of these statements are considered to be “similar phrases” to the “certified organic by…” requirement in the NOP.

Attention: Processors - QAI heeds your call!

QAI is pleased to announce the creation of the Processor Single Ingredient Or Repack Product Information form for processors with single ingredient items and/or repackaged items seeking certification.

Some time ago QAI developed a policy to ease the certification process for processors who were also repacking or processing single ingredient items.  Our solution was to only require the one page Distributor Individual Product Information (DIPI) form.  The result was two certificates – a Processor certification for multiple ingredient products and a Distributor certification for all single ingredient / repackaged items.  Unfortunately, many clients felt having two types of certifications implied they were not processing the single ingredient items, which in many cases was not the case. 

Please welcome the Processor Single Ingredient Or Repack Product Information form (aka SIRPI – yes, yet another acronym!).  This form encompasses the ease of the DIPI form with the thoroughness of an Individual Product Profile (IPP) form, resulting in the presence of single ingredient items / repackaged items for inclusion on your Processor System Plan Summary.

Most importantly, perhaps, is the following: QAI is NOT requiring our clients to go back and complete this form when we may already have IPP or DIPI forms on file for your certification of single ingredient / repackaged items.  However, this form is available for our clients to use with any future additions.

QAI has also developed tools for our clients to assist in the process of understanding what QAI and the USDA NOP regulation require when making product additions.  We now have the “NOP Product Worksheet” as well as the “NOP Label Worksheet”.  These are not required to be submitted with your product additions but instead are a tool to use when applying for new product additions.  The worksheets inform you of the NOP requirements for each of the three possible organic label claims.

We hope you will enjoy using the new forms as QAI has developed these tools in response to your wonderful feedback! 

You can find these new resources at www.qai-inc.com under “Forms and Resources”.   And as always, please contact your helpful Account Coordinator should you need assistance.

CAAQ Chooses One of QAI’s Own for Certifier Seat on the Board of Directors

QAI Account Coordinator and Canadian Specialist, Kasey Moctezuma, has been chosen by the CAAQ (Conseil des Appellations Agroalimentaires du Québec) to fill the certifier representative seat on its Board of Directors. The two-year appointment is to be filled by a French-speaking individual form one of the six CAAQ accredited certifying bodies (QAI, Ecocert Canada, International Certification Services, OCIA - International, OCPP / PRO-CERT Canada, Organisme de Certification Québec Vrai).

"I am honored to accept the position of certifier representative on the Board of Directors. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Québec, as well as with the other CAAQ accredited certification agencies in achieving greater cooperation and collaboration regarding organic regulation and trade in North America,” says Moctezuma.

The Board of Directors meets regularly by phone and approximately 4-times a year at the CAAQ's office to discuss current affairs, organization management, changes in standards and recognition of foreign certifying bodies among other relevant issues.

QAI International Seminar Hailed a Success

Showcasing our reputation as an international industry leader, QAI conducted a Two Part International Seminar for our clients as a kickoff to the Natural Products Expo West Tradeshow in March.

QAI clients interested in gaining additional knowledge and expertise in navigating the global organic marketplace participated in the afternoon event.  Topics covered by our International experts included: an-in depth look at changes, updates and requirements in the Japanese Agricultural Standard, as well as understanding regulatory compliances for the EU, Québec and Korea.

According to those in attendance, the Seminar proved to be a success. 
Here's what they're saying: "the workshop was outstanding", "the speakers were excellent", "the International Binder will be an invaluable resource", "being part of a professional workshop like this one is just another reason why our company chose QAI as our certifier."

QAI would like to thank all of those attending our Workshop for making it a great learning experience.  We will continue to offer seminars in the future so stay tuned for announcements via our Q eNewsletters and Web site.

Parlez-vous français ? ¿Habla español?

Are you marketing your products to Spanish or French speaking customers?  To meet your international marketing needs, the QAI seals are now available in both French and Spanish in addition to English.  These foreign language seals are available here for your use in place or along side of the English QAI seal:

NSF International Announces Winners of the 2006 Food Safety Leadership Awards

NSF International (NSF) announced the six winners of its Third Annual Food Safety Leadership Awards.  NSF's Food Safety Leadership Awards Program recognizes groundbreaking achievements throughout the food industry. The awards will be presented on Saturday, May 20, 2006 at 2:00 PM (CT) at McCormick Place Convention Center (Booth #3438) during the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

May 7-9th - QAI/NSF Exhibits at All Things Organic, McCormick Place,   Chicago, IL  (BOOTH 415)

May 20-23rd QAI/NSF exhibits at National Restaurant Association (NRA) Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL (BOOTH 3438)

June 24-26th - QAI Exhibits at IFT (Institute of Food Technologists) Organic Pavilion, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL (BOOTH 1992)

In this issue, we turn the spotlight on Account Coordinator and surfer dude Joshua Rollins who's In The Q!

Hi!  My name is Joshua Rollins and I’m one of the newest additions to the team of Account Coordinators here at QAI.

Back Story:

I was brought up in a quaint little town north of Boston where it’s been argued that we have the highest number of horses per capita in the country! Quiet as it may have been, we were still in the heart of Red Sox Nation, and I was fortunate enough to be able to make a trip back in the Fall of 2004 to witness history. Go Sox!

I’m a proud graduate of Boston College where I received my degree in Environmental Geoscience and a Big East Championship in soccer! I was also able to spend a semester studying abroad in Perth, Australia. It might have been then that I realized I didn’t always have to live in a climate as unpredictable as New England’s. After working for a couple of years in Boston, I decided I needed a change from the cold and made the cross-country trek to San Diego. Dream realized, I now live within walking distance of the beach and one of my favorite surf breaks!

Real Time:

Some of my daily workload here at the Q

includes drafting, revising, and finalizing Organic Certificates, responding to numerous ad-hoc client inquiries (in a timely fashion of course!), and getting dubbed with a various assortment of applicable nicknames, such as “rookie” and “newbie”.  While working at QAI is proving to be a very rewarding experience with great people all around, as an environmentalist at heart, it’s the contribution all of my clients ultimately make to sustainable development that really motivates me and makes me feel good at the end of the day.  Thanks guys!  When I’m not at the Q there’s a good chance you’ll find me back at the beach.  I somehow got bit by the surfing bug even growing up all the way back in Boston so I try to never

miss an opportunity to catch some waves in warmer waters under sunny skies!

Fun Facts:

Things I miss most about Boston:

Dunkin’ Donuts, my family, the BC Eagles, the Patriots, and the Red Sox.

Things I don’t miss about Boston:

The weather, the road rage, the lack of surf.

Favorite music: Phish

(The Greatest Band in the World!)

What’s on my iPod:  60% of the time it’s Phish every time!

What am I listening to right now:  My co-worker, Albert, singing … poorly.

Favorite TV Show: Seinfeld (I watch reruns every night!)

Favorite Movie: ‘Old School’ is up there

Favorite Meal: New England lambake (Lobster, Steamers, Corn on the cob, and a tall, frosty Sam Adams)

Favorite Beverage: Whatever’s on draft at Fenway Park.

Something I wish I could invest more time in:  Photography.

Places I’d love to visit: Anywhere in Europe or anywhere with waves.

What do I do when I’m home alone: Break out my guitar and do some songwriting.

To contact QAI:

If you have questions, concerns, or need general information, go to the QAI web site to learn how to contact us or to send us an email. For questions pertaining to QAI's Quality News contact Ellen P. Holton, QAI Director of Marketing and Business Development directly at 858.792.3531 ext 115.

QAI, Inc. is an NSF International Company. Visit their web site to learn more about NSF International, The Public Health and Safety Company.