Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about FoodFraud.ai

General Questions

What is FoodFraud.ai?

FoodFraud.AI is an AI-powered food fraud risk assessment platform that transforms manual compliance processes into automated, intelligent systems. Built on Clare Winkel's proven methodology with 35+ years of expertise, the platform evaluates 70+ risk factors to generate audit-ready food fraud documentation aligned with GFSI-benchmarked schemes (FSSC 22000, SQF, BRCGS) in minutes rather than hours.

 Unlike generic AI tools, FoodFraud.AI combines established food safety expertise with advanced AI capabilities to deliver credible, audit-ready assessments aligned with regulatory standards.

Who should use FoodFraud.AI?

FoodFraud.AI is designed for food safety professionals including:
  • Quality Managers needing efficient, repeatable risk assessments
  • Supply Chain Directors evaluating supplier fraud risks
  • Food Manufacturers managing ingredient portfolios
  • Compliance Officers preparing for GFSI audits
  • Consultants serving multiple clients with standardized methodology
  • Procurement Teams assessing new supplier risks

How does FoodFraud.AI differ from manual risk assessments?

Traditional manual assessments require 2-4 hours per ingredient with inconsistent results. FoodFraud.AI delivers:
80% time savings - Complete assessments in about 40-45 minutes
Consistent methodology - Same systematic approach every time
AI-assisted research that consults current web sources - prioritizing official government and food-safety regulatory sites - to flag emerging risks
Automated documentation - Audit-ready reports generated instantly
AI-powered insights - Deep analysis of 70+ risk factors simultaneously
Continuous monitoring - Alerts when new threats emerge

Is FoodFraud.AI GFSI compliant?

Yes. FoodFraud.AI generates comprehensive documentation supporting the food fraud vulnerability assessment requirements of GFSI-benchmarked schemes including FSSC 22000, SQF and BRCGS, including:
  • Systematic vulnerability assessment across all required risk factors
  • Evidence-based risk scoring with source documentation
  • Detailed audit trails showing assessment methodology
  • Mitigation plan development with prioritized actions
  • Annual review tracking and historical comparisons
 The platform is built on Clare Winkel's food fraud methodology - the same methodology behind the Food Fraud Scorecard, used in hundreds of GFSI audits across 14 countries before

Pricing & Credits

How does the credit system work?

FoodFraud.AI uses a simple, all-inclusive credit model:
  • 1.0 credit = One complete food fraud risk assessment
  • Includes unlimited AI question assistance
  • Includes AI-generated action plans
  • Includes compliance documentation
  • Includes dashboard access and scoring
 No hidden charges. Unlike other platforms that charge per AI query, our all-inclusive model encourages thorough assessment quality through unlimited AI assistance.
Optional add-ons available at low cost:
  • Recall Search: 0.1 credit
  • Global Watch Scan: Free on your ingredients

What credit packages are available?

Three flexible packages to match your needs:
  • Starter Pack - $199 for 10 assessments ($19.90 each)
  • Growth Pack - $399 for 25 assessments ($15.96 each) - Most Popular
  • Scale Pack - $1,299 for 100 assessments ($12.99 each)
  • All packages include:
  • Credits never expire
  • Full platform access
  • All core features included
  • Email support

Do credits expire?

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No, credits never expire. Purchase credits when convenient and use them at your own pace. This is especially valuable for:
  • Seasonal ingredient assessments
  • New supplier onboarding cycles
  • Annual review schedules
  • Budget planning across fiscal years

How much does a consultant typically charge for this work?

Professional food fraud consultants typically charge:
  • $200-$250 per ingredient assessment
  • 2-4 weeks turnaround time
  • Additional fees for revisions or updates
  • Premium rates for expedited service
 FoodFraud.AI delivers the same expert-level assessment for $12.99-$19.90 per ingredient in 40-45 minutes. For a portfolio of 25 ingredients, you save $5,500+ compared to consultant fees.

Can I get a refund if I'm not satisfied?

We offer a satisfaction guarantee. If you're not completely satisfied with your first assessment, contact us within 30 days for a full refund. We're confident in the quality of our platform because it's built on proven methodology - refined through the Food Fraud Scorecard and accepted by auditors worldwide. 

Technical & Platform Questions

How does the AI generate risk assessments?

FoodFraud.AI uses a sophisticated multi-stage process:
Structured Questionnaire - Guides you through 70+ risk factors based on Clare Winkel's methodology.

AI Assisted Decision Making -  analyze your responses against historical fraud patterns, current threats, and supply chain vulnerabilities
Data Integration - Surfaces publicly available information from official sources, with the specific sites consulted listed in each assessment for transparency
Risk Scoring - Generates evidence-based scores with confidence levels
Action Planning - Creates prioritised mitigation strategies specific to your risk profile
 The AI doesn't replace expert judgment—it enhances proven methodology with comprehensive data analysis that would take hours manually.

Can I import data from spreadsheets?

Yes. FoodFraud.AI supports bulk upload via Excel/CSV files, making it easy to:
Import your complete ingredient portfolio
Update multiple assessments simultaneously
Migrate from existing systems
Share standardized templates with suppliers
The platform validates your data and flags any incomplete or inconsistent information before processing.

How secure is my data?

We take data security seriously:
  • Encryption - All data encrypted in transit and at rest
  • Access Control - Authentication required for all access
  • Privacy - We never sell your data. AI analysis runs on Google Cloud's Vertex AI, which contractually does not use your data to train its models; data is processed in Australia and not shared with any other third parties
  • Backup - Automated data backups
  • Audit Trails - System activity logging

What reporting formats are available?

FoodFraud.AI generates multiple report formats:
  • PDF Reports - Professional, audit-ready documentation
  • Excel Exports - Detailed data for internal analysis
  • Dashboard Views - Visual portfolio overviews and trends
  • Action Plans - Prioritized mitigation strategies

Can multiple team members access the platform?

Each user gets their own independent login, their own assessment history, and their own experience. Talk to us if this is a requirement or an API is required. 

Methodology & Expertise

Who developed the FoodFraud.AI methodology?

The platform is built on methodology developed by Clare Winkel BSc, MBA, a leading food fraud risk assessment expert with:
  • 35+ years of food fraud expertise across bakery, spices, seafood, and beverages
  • Global GFSI auditor with successful assessments in 14 countries
  • Involvement in EU research project with Wageningen University
  • Proven track record of identifying food fraud activities
  • Extensive experience with major retailers and fast-food chains
 This isn't generic AI—it's proven expertise enhanced by technology.

How many risk factors does the assessment cover?

FoodFraud.AI evaluates 70+ risk factors across multiple categories:
  • Ingredient Characteristics - Value, complexity, substitution potential
  • Supply Chain - Transparency, number of intermediaries, geographic risk
  • Market Conditions - Price volatility, demand pressures, availability
  • Historical Patterns - Past fraud incidents, regional vulnerabilities
  • Supplier Controls - Testing programs, certifications, audit history
  • Detection Difficulty - Analytical complexity, sophistication of adulterants

Can the platform assess any type of food ingredient?

Yes. The methodology applies to all food ingredients including:
  • Raw materials (spices, oils, proteins, grains)
  • Processed ingredients
  • Additives and supplements
  • Packaging materials
  • Finished products
The risk assessment is based on likelihood, detectability and profitability. For specialty or emerging ingredients, request expert validation if needed.

How current is the threat intelligence?

On-demand checks.
Use the global scan watch to surface new threats affecting your assessed ingredients, ensuring your risk profiles stay current between annual reviews.

What if I disagree with the AI's risk assessment?

You maintain full control:
  • Override Options - Adjust any risk score with documented justification
  • AI Assistance - Ask unlimited questions to understand the AI's reasoning
  • Additional Evidence - Upload supporting documentation to inform the assessment
  • Expert Review - Flag assessments for human expert validation
  • Audit Trail - All overrides and adjustments are documented for compliance
 The AI assists, but you make the final decisions. Your professional judgment is irreplaceable.

Implementation & Support

How long does it take to get started?

You can start immediately:
Sign up and purchase credits (2 minutes)
Complete the brief platform orientation (10 minutes)
Start your first assessment (40-45 minutes)
No lengthy implementation, no software installation, no IT involvement required. The platform is designed for food safety professionals to use independently with minimal training.

What training or support is provided?

Comprehensive support at every level:
  • Email Support - Included with all packages
  • Priority Support - Available with  Scale packages
  • Documentation - Detailed user guides and FAQs
  • Training Sessions - Available 
Most users are fully proficient after completing 2-3 assessments.

Can FoodFraud.AI integrate with our existing systems?

Integration options include:
  • API Access - Available  for custom integrations
Contact our team to discuss specific integration requirements.

Is there a free trial available?

Yes. New users receive one complimentary assessment to experience the platform before purchasing credits. This allows you to:
  • Test the full assessment process
  • Experience AI assistance and action planning
  • Review report quality and format
  • Evaluate time savings and ease of use
No credit card required for the trial assessment.

What happens if I need help during an assessment?

Unlimited AI assistance is included with every assessment. You can:
  • Ask clarifying questions about any risk factor
  • Request additional context or examples
  • Get guidance on interpreting complex supply chain scenarios
  • Receive suggestions for mitigation strategies
For technical issues or specialized questions, email support typically responds within 4 business hours (1 hour for priority support).

Compliance & Audits

Will auditors accept AI-generated assessments?

Yes. Auditors care about three things:
Systematic Methodology - FoodFraud.AI follows an established food fraud vulnerability assessment methodology aligned with GFSI-benchmarked schemes
Evidence-Based Conclusions - All risk scores are supported by documented evidence and data sources
Audit Trail - Complete documentation of assessment process, decisions, and updates
 The underlying methodology - proven through the Food Fraud Scorecard across hundreds of audits - delivers the consistency, thoroughness and documentation quality auditors expect, whether it took 40 minutes or 4 hours

How do I prepare for an audit using FoodFraud.AI?

FoodFraud.AI generates everything you need:
  • Comprehensive Reports - Full documentation of risk assessment methodology
  • Evidence Package - Source citations and supporting data
  • Mitigation Plans - Documented control measures and actions
  • Annual Review Records - Historical comparisons and updates
  • Audit Trail - Complete record of assessments and revisions
Simply export your portfolio reports before the audit—everything is organized and audit-ready.

How does FoodFraud.AI support annual reviews?

Annual reviews become dramatically easier:
  • Historical Tracking - Compare current vs. previous assessments
  • Change Alerts - Automatic notification of significant risk changes
  • Bulk Updates - Update multiple ingredients simultaneously
  • New Intelligence - Pre-populated with latest available information surfaced when you review
  • Trend Analysis - Visual dashboards showing risk evolution
What typically takes days can be completed in hours, with better quality results.

Does FoodFraud.AI cover HACCP requirements?

FoodFraud.AI focuses specifically on food fraud vulnerability assessments, which is a distinct requirement from HACCP. However, the platform supports your broader food safety program by:
  • Identifying economically motivated adulteration risks
  • Generating documentation for TACCP (Threat Assessment Critical Control Points)
  • Providing control measure recommendations that complement HACCP
Creating audit-ready evidence of due diligence
Food fraud assessment is a required component of GFSI certification alongside HACCP