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 15+ years of expertise, the platform evaluates 70+ risk factors to generate GFSI-compliant documentation in minutes rather than hours.
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:
85% time savings - Complete assessments in 15-20 minutes
Consistent methodology - Same systematic approach every time
Live threat intelligence - Real-time data from 50+ sources
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 that meets all GFSI requirements 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
Is FoodFraud.AI GFSI compliant?
Yes. FoodFraud.AI generates comprehensive documentation that meets all GFSI requirements 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
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 certificates
- Includes dashboard access and scoring
Optional add-ons available at low cost:
- Recall Search: 0.3 credits (~$6)
- PDF/Excel Export: 0.1 credits (~$2)
- Global Watch Scan: 0.5 credits (~$10)
- Recall Search: 0.3 credits (~$6)
- PDF/Excel Export: 0.1 credits (~$2)
- Global Watch Scan: 0.5 credits (~$10)
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
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 that has satisfied hundreds of 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 Analysis - Advanced algorithms analyze your responses against historical fraud patterns, current threats, and supply chain vulnerabilities
Data Integration - Pulls real-time intelligence from government databases, regulatory alerts, and fraud incident reports
Risk Scoring - Generates evidence-based scores with confidence levels
Action Planning - Creates prioritized mitigation strategies specific to your risk profile
What data sources does FoodFraud.AI use?
The platform aggregates data from 50+ authoritative sources including:
FDA recall databases and alerts
EU RASFF (Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed)
WHO food safety reports
National regulatory databases worldwide
Academic research on food fraud patterns
Industry incident reports and case studies
Supply chain vulnerability databases
Economic adulteration indicators
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 - Role-based permissions and authentication
- Compliance - SOC 2 Type II certified infrastructure
- Privacy - Your data is never shared or used to train AI models
- Backup - Automated daily backups with 99.9% uptime SLA
- Audit Trails - Complete logging of all system access and changes
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
- Certificates - Compliance documentation for suppliers
- Action Plans - Prioritized mitigation strategies
- Comparison Reports - Historical trend analysis
Can multiple team members access the platform?
Yes. Credits are shared across your organization with role-based access controls:
- Admin - Full access, credit management, user administration
- Assessor - Create and complete assessments
- Reviewer - View and approve assessments
- Viewer - Read-only access to reports
All activity is logged for audit trails and accountability.
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:
- 15+ 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
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
- Regulatory Environment - Enforcement levels, penalty severity
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 AI adapts its analysis based on ingredient-specific fraud patterns and vulnerabilities. For specialty or emerging ingredients, request expert validation if needed.
How current is the threat intelligence?
Real-time monitoring. The platform continuously scans:
- Government recall databases (updated daily)
- Regulatory alerts (monitored hourly)
- Industry news and incident reports
- Academic research publications
You receive instant notifications when new threats affect 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
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 (15-20 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:
- Interactive Tutorials - Built-in guidance through your first assessment
- Video Library - Best practices and advanced features
- Email Support - Included with all packages
- Priority Support - Available with Growth and Scale packages
- Documentation - Detailed user guides and FAQs
- Training Sessions - Available for Scale package users
Most users are fully proficient after completing 2-3 assessments.
Can FoodFraud.AI integrate with our existing systems?
Integration options include:
- Excel/CSV Import/Export - Standard with all packages
- API Access - Available with Scale package for custom integrations
- ERP Systems - Connect to SAP, Oracle, or custom systems
- Quality Management Systems - Integration with leading QMS platforms
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
- Access relevant regulatory requirements and standards
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 established, GFSI-compliant methodology
Evidence-Based Conclusions - All risk scores are supported by documented evidence and data sources
Audit Trail - Complete documentation of assessment process, decisions, and updates
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 threat data
- 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 and VACCP.