Food Fraud Vulnerability Assessment Tools

The Vulnerability Assessment Tool v3.0s and the Vulnerability Assessment Tool (BRC method) are Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets that are designed to help you, a food business, assess whether your products and raw materials are vulnerable to food fraud. (Looking for vulnerability assessments for food defense? Click here.)

The spreadsheets prompt you to collect information about each product, its ingredients or raw materials and their suppliers. Enter the information into the spreadsheet by choosing answers to simple questions using dropdown lists. You do not need all the information to start; you can add or change the information at any time. Start with your best guess and update the information as you learn more.

The spreadsheets use the information you enter to estimate the vulnerabilities for each raw material. All calculated results can be over-ridden by the user.

“I purchased the wonderful tool for ISO 22000, SQF and Woolworths (Australia) and had the pleasure of wonderful feedback from the auditor on the correct way to implement a vulnerability assessment. It made it so much better for me to be able to assess our 200 raw materials and to have peace of mind as a Quality Manager. The tool is so easy to use! It is a life saver and took a lot of stress off my shoulders.” Ronlee, QA Manager, Seasoning Manufacturer, Australia.

Use the tools to:

• learn how to do a food fraud vulnerability assessment
• learn how different material characteristics affect risk
• collect and store all relevant information in one place
• Create reports for audits

I have searched for tools and templates and I found the tool developed by you very friendly and not to complicate to use even for users who are not very comfortable working with Excel – Daria, Canada

Which tool is right for me?

(psst; looking for Packaging Materials tools?  Click here!)

	Vulnerability Assessment Tool v3.0s			Vulnerability Assessment Tool (BRC method)
	Fast, intuitive, practical			Fast, intuitive, practical
	Suitable for ingredients, raw materials such as processing aids, additives, packaging materials, finished products, dietary supplements, herbal remedies (oral), functional food additives and ‘boosters’			Suitable for food ingredients
	Addresses all aspects of food fraud			Addresses economically motivated adulteration, substitution and dilution
	Optional pre-filter (screening) step
	Based on the methodology recommended by Michigan State University Food Fraud Initiative			Based on the method recommended by the British Retail Consortium (BRC)1
	Save, file and print the results for your next audit			Save, file and print the results for your next audit
	Generates a report containing: Purpose and scope Likelihood of food fraud and impact (severity) of food fraud The results of the vulnerability assessment in a risk matrix format Optional initial screening (pre-filter) step Optional controls report			Generates a report containing: Purpose and scope Likelihood of occurrence of food fraud for the material Likelihood of detection of food fraud The results of the vulnerability assessment in a risk matrix format
	Suitable to meet the requirements of all major food safety standards and can be used by food businesses that do not operate a formal food safety management system			Designed to meet the requirements of BRC Food Safety Issue 7 and Issue 8.  Can also be used for BRC Packaging Issue 6.
	Easy to review and update			Easy to review and update
	Results and data can easily be copied and pasted into other documents			Results and data can easily be copied and pasted into other documents
	US$59			US$59
	Download a free trial			Download a free trial

To view and use the trial spreadsheets you will need:

• Microsoft Excel installed on this device; For Macs Excel 2011 or later works best, for Windows Excel 2007 or later is best.
• A basic understanding of food manufacturing quality systems and food safety management systems
• Basic spreadsheet skills and familiarity with Microsoft Excel.

Buy it now, download it instantly and complete your first food fraud vulnerability assessment in less than one hour.

Questions? Click here for frequently asked questions and their answers plus access to support

Learn more about the two approaches to vulnerability assessments here

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1. British Retail Consortium (2015) Understanding Vulnerability Assessment