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Product, Production Process and Equipment Certifications
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AMS offers a variety of fee-based, voluntary product certification and production/processing verification services that provide independent, third-party assurance that contractual agreements, foreign government requirements, and other requirements are met.
Grading services ensure that a seller's product meets specified grade or contract requirements; for buyers, grading services ensure that they receive the quality they expect. Grading is voluntary except for commodities that are (1) regulated for quality by a marketing order or marketing agreement, (2) subject to import requirements, or (3) purchased by USDA or certain other government agencies. Grading may be conducted during processing, at shipping point locations as the product is packed for shipment to market, or at destination locations. AMS offer grading services for the following products:
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Certification and Verification Programs
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- AMS’ Process Verification programs provide producer and markets of livestock and seed products, fresh and processed fruit and vegetables, and poultry and poultry products the opportunity to assure customers of their ability to provide consistent quality products by having their written production and manufacturing processes confirmed through independent, third party audits. The USDA Process verified program uses the International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 9000 series standards for documented quality management systems as a format for evaluation documentation to ensure consistent auditing practices and promote international recognition of audit results.
- AMS provides a) Qualified Through Verification (QTV) Program to the fresh-cut produce industry. QTV is a voluntary, user-fee program where USDA audits and validates a company's Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)-based food safety plan. Companies that demonstrate during the audits that they are following their AMS- approved plan are allowed to use an official mark - the QTV shield - on their product labels and in advertisements.
- Non-Hormone Treated Cattle (NHTC) Program -- AMS' Livestock and Seed Program has been designated by USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service as the competent authority for providing certification of cattle producers and meat processors for this program. All farms, ranches and feedlots who raise beef destined for shipment to the European Union (EU) as non-hormone treated cattle must be audited, approved and listed on this website in order to be eligible for export certification from FSIS
- Pork For the European Union (PFEU) Program. -- AMS' Livestock and Seed Program has been designated by USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) as the competent authority for providing certification of finished hog producers for this program. Production systems that finish hogs destined for slaughter, processing and subsequent export as meat to the European Union (EU) must be audited, approved and listed on this website in order to be eligible for export certification from FSIS.
- Animal Protein Free Certification Program -- AMS' Poultry Program oversees this program, which is a voluntary, user-fee service available to poultry producers and processors to provide third-party verification that poultry and poultry products have never been fed animal protein, animal fats, or animal by-products.
- European Union Health Certification Program -- The European Commission has designated AMS Dairy Programs as the authorized certification agency for all dairy products or dairy ingredients in other products for export to the European Union. This service facilitates the efficient movement of these products in international trade.
- Meat and Poultry Equipment Review Program -- AMS inspects and certifies dairy and meat processing equipment and utensils. Based on the NSF/3A Joint Committee on Food Processing Equipment standards, this program provides assurance that hygienic requirements are met in the design and manufacture of equipment, including ease of cleaning and sanitizing, suitability of materials used in construction, durability, and uncomplicated in-line inspection.
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