Certifications & Standards
GFTC Gold Standard – Food Safety and Quality Systems
Guelph Food Technology Centre (GFTC) is a global leader in food safety, training, quality and technical solutions. The Food Safety and Quality Systems Audit covers all aspects of a Food Safety Management System plus Quality Systems and Food Defence. It is GFTC’s most widely accepted audit standard by major retailers and other stakeholders in the supply chain. naturSource® achieved the Gold Standard on our last audit (May 2011) and our Quality Assurance team is diligently working behind the scenes to ensure we achieve this level every year!
Click here to view our 2011/2012 Auditech Certification
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Certified by 2011
naturSource® is in the final phases of achieving HACCP certification and will be fully certified by the end of 2011. HACCP is one the highest level of food safety accreditation that a food processor can attain. Becoming certified is a rigorous process involving a graduated inspections and examination process. It is “a systematic preventative approach to food safety that addresses physical, chemical, and biological hazards as a means of prevention rather than finished product inspection. HACCP is used in the food industry to identify potential food safety hazards, so that key actions, known as Critical Control Points, can be taken to reduce or eliminate the risk of the hazards being realized. The system is used at all stages of food production and preparation processes including purchasing, manufacturing practice, packaging, distribution, etc.”
Jewish Community Council of Montreal Certified (MK Parve)
We sought out Montreal Kosher (MK) Parve certification from our earliest beginnings because it reflected above average standards of cleanliness and quality. Kosher is defined as foods that conform to the regulations of the Jewish Halakhic law framework, which form the Jewish dietary laws. Parve is a Hebrew term used to describe food that does not contain any meat or dairy ingredients.
naturSource® undergoes an annual certification process and has been certified for 29 years. We also undergo unannounced monthly spot-checks and inspections to ensure that we are following the Montreal Kosher (MK) Parve guidelines at all times.
QAI Certification for Organic Products
Quality Assurance International is the leading USDA-accredited organic product certifying agency. naturSource® is proud to be QAI certified, meaning that our products come from the highest quality sources and only the best organic integrity is guaranteed every step of the way - from nature to your table.
QAI is a member of the NSF International group of companies. NSF is the leader in public health and safety, and also conducts food safety audits and training, develops sustainability standards and makes sure companies claims of sustainability are verified. Learn more about QAI.
Almond Board of California Certified
We know they’re delicious, but is an almond just an almond? Not to naturSource®. Our cooking process is Almond Board of California (ABC) certified. This leads to a perfectly cooked almond with the very best flavour and quality you can’t help but enjoy. What makes this even more special is the fact that other companies have to buy pasteurized almonds, which are already cooked when they roast them. The result is a twice cooked almond, compared our almonds that are cooked perfectly – once!
In 2007, the Almond Board of California instituted a policy requiring mandatory pasteurization of all almonds post-harvest almond crops. Pasteurization in this case implies that growers & packers have to either steam the almonds or use P.P.O. (Fumigation with P.P.O., a carcinogenic bactericide that was banned in Canada until recently) to kill off any potentially harmful bacteria before they are shipped to their customers. While the steaming process is effective, it takes away some of the flavour and texture, and alters their raw, natural state.
naturSource® is one of a very few companies in Canada whose cooking process has been certified by the California Almond Board as an alternative to steam and P.P.O. Our cooking process destroys any harmful bacteria while sealing in valuable nutrients and delicious flavours, without the use of harmful chemicals.
Learn more about our commitment to quality
