Quality Label | Normec Institut METAKOM

Our Approach to Certification The purposeof awarding the quality label is to ensure quality controls at all levels of the food chain.

Certified Quality This is represented by the quality label from the Metakom® Institute Competence Center for Food Safety GmbH & Co. KG. Thanks to the Metakom® Institute’s quality label, you can document your quality controls directly for your customers to see.

Regular Inspections: In-house or “farm-to-table” ? The scope of the inspections (products / extent of the analyses / frequency of inspections) can be individually tailored to your needs. Various testing programs are available. It is important that tests are conducted regularly to ensure the long-term protection of consumers. All products bearing the Metakom Institute’s quality label are subject to a contractually defined testing plan.

How are the inspections conducted? Certified products are ,of course, analyzed in accordance with currently applicable national and international methodologicalspecifications , such as the methods specified in Section 64 of the LMBG, AOAC, NordVal, or customer-specific specifications.

• Microbiological testing: Raw materials, ingredients, additives, packaging materials, and products are tested to verify that they are fit for consumption and meet the requirements for placing them on the market.
• Molecular biological analyses: Using molecular biological methods, the presence of undesirable substances in raw materials or ingredients (such as allergens) can be detected.
• Chemical and physical analyses: analysis of nutritional composition (Big 4 / 7 / 8), quality (e.g., BEFFE, water/protein ratio, preparative gravimetric analyses), and the presence of other product-specific residues (e.g., inhibitors, pesticides, preservatives).
• Sensory analyses: Sensory evaluation by DLG-certified sensory experts makes it possible to objectively assess the specific quality characteristics of the products.

What is inspected? Various inspection programs are available. Thanks to the option for customization, a tailored inspection plan can be developed for each product.

Internal quality controls of

• raw materials and ingredients
• additives and spices
• packaging materials and labeling/presentation
• Semi-finished and finished products

Regular conduct of independent audits according to established criteria.

More generally, other links in the food chain may also be inspected:

• Raw materials used and production conditions at suppliers (audit with sampling)
• Sensory inspections in accordance with recognized quality standards
• Unannounced test purchases in food retail stores, followed by an analysis of the products

How is the certification process structured? As an independent inspection body , weguarantee impartiality and strict neutrality!

The certification procedure is clearly defined, and you can request information about it without obligation if you are interested in our quality label.

Our quality labels: