Sourcing agricultural products from overseas involves a leap of faith. When you sit in an office in New York or Hamburg, how can you be certain that the factory processing your Cashews or Coffee in Vietnam meets your standards?
At An Supply, we understand that trust is good, but control is better. We do not simply “find” suppliers; we rigorously vet and manage them. Before a single container is shipped, every partner factory must pass our strict 4-Step Audit Process.
Here is how we ensure your goods are produced in a safe, ethical, and high-quality environment.
Step 1: Legal & Certification Verification (The Paper Trail)
Before we even visit the site, we verify the legal standing and capability of the manufacturer.
- Food Safety Certifications: We validate that their certifications (HACCP, ISO 22000, BRC, or FSSC 22000) are current and issued by accredited bodies.
- Export Licenses: Ensuring they have the legal right to export to specific markets (e.g., FDA registration for the US, CN Code for China).
- Capacity Check: We analyze their stated capacity versus actual output records to ensure they don’t over-promise and outsource to unauthorized sub-contractors.
Step 2: Physical Site Inspection (The Walk-Through)
Paperwork can be perfect, but reality can be different. Our team physically travels to the factory to conduct a “Walk-Through” inspection, focusing on critical control points:
- Hygiene Zoning: Is there a clear separation between “dirty zones” (raw material intake) and “clean zones” (final packaging)? This prevents cross-contamination.
- Pest Control: We check for effective pest management systems (traps, nets) to ensure no insects or rodents can enter the production line.
- Foreign Matter Control: We test their metal detectors and X-ray machines to ensure they are calibrated and functioning correctly to catch any physical contaminants (stones, metal, glass).
Step 3: Process Control & Traceability
A modern buyer needs to know the journey of the bean. We audit the factory’s record-keeping system.
- Traceability: Can the factory pick a finished carton of cashews and trace it back to the specific farm or collection date? We run mock recall tests to verify this.
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): We observe workers to ensure they are following the SOPs for roasting, grading, and packing, not just improvising.
Step 4: Social Compliance & Ethical Standards
Quality isn’t just about the product; it’s about the people. Western markets are increasingly demanding ethical sourcing. An Supply strictly audits:
- Labor Safety: Are workers wearing proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like masks, gloves, and uniforms?
- No Child Labor: We have a zero-tolerance policy. We verify age records to ensure no underage labor is involved in the supply chain.
- Working Conditions: We inspect lighting, ventilation, and fire safety exits to ensure a humane working environment.
Conclusion: Your Assurance of Quality
We don’t just audit once and disappear. An Supply performs regular, unannounced checks to ensure standards are maintained throughout our partnership.
When you work with An Supply, you aren’t just buying from a catalog; you are buying from a verified, monitored, and compliant supply chain.
Want to see our audit checklist? Contact us for a transparent discussion about our quality assurance.
