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7-Step Quality Control Process

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7-Step Process
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"Industry Best" Quality Control

The Benchmark for Quality Management

The Tradex Foods 7-Step Quality Control Process is the benchmark for quality management in the frozen seafood industry. This process ensures comprehensive inspections at every stage of production – on the production line – on the floor of the plant – for the full duration of processing.

Each step is managed with a relentless attention to detail – by our own Tradex Control Quality Supervisors - ensuring exceptional quality with every production run and fully documented with a detailed inspection report.

7-Step Quality Control Process

Step 1: Harvester Accreditation

  • Tradex Foods has been sourcing raw material from accredited suppliers in Alaska & British Columbia for over 20 years.
  • When considering a new harvester – we initially implement a quality probation period – and stringently monitor every detail of procurement on a deal-by-deal basis.
  • Once the harvester has consistently demonstrated reliability, Tradex Foods adds them to a list of accredited suppliers and continues to cyclically audit vessels - to ensure adherence to standards.

Step 2: Plant Accreditation

  • Prior to approving a new plant – Tradex executes a stringent, standards-based audit of the supplier’s facilities.
  • If a plant meets inspection protocols - we proceed. If a plant scores a marginal grade – we recommend corrective actions.
  • If a plant chooses to comply with mandates – we will reassess upon completion.
  • If a plant fails the post mandate inspection – they are eliminated as a potential supplier.
  • Standards include: HACCP plan, documentation, water/ice quality, safety, cleanliness, sanitation systems, manufacturing practices, pest control, equipment and infrastructure

Step 3: Raw Material Inspection

  • Premium products begin with premium raw material.
  • DNA testing process implemented if warranted by product specification.
  • Our supervisors meticulously inspect and evaluate every shipment of raw material destined for Tradex orders - utilizing a propriety set of premium standards.
  • Specifically - supervisors focus on chain-of-custody documentation, physical quality of the fish, consistency of sizing, conditions of handling and suitability for our order.
  • If there are breaches in custody or concerns with quality – the material is simply rejected.

Step 4: Processing Supervision

  • With harvester, plant and raw material all accredited and approved - we are now ready for processing.
  • The only remaining potential for quality breaches is either an accidental or deliberate deviation from the plant’s standard practices and procedures.
  • This is where Tradex Quality Control Supervisors make the ultimate difference.
  • Instead of performing one final inspection - our Tradex Quality Control Supervisors follow the entire processing line – from start to finish – for the duration of production.

Step 5: Finished Product Inspection

  • Finished product inspection is the nucleus of the Tradex Foods quality control process.
  • Tradex Foods Quality Control Supervisors inspect product against a variety of standards - including:
    • Net weight of products
    • conformity to stated sizing
    • percentage of glaze
    • moisture content
    • quality of workmanship
    • presence of parasites
    • flesh texture & cooked flavour quality
    • deceptive practices
  • This is where Tradex Quality Control Supervisors make the ultimate difference.
  • Instead of performing one final inspection - our Tradex Quality Control Supervisors follow the entire processing line – from start to finish – for the duration of production.

Step 6: Inspection Reports

  • Following production - our Quality Control Supervisors summarize and document all tests results and observations into a final inspection report or report card.
  • Complete with photographs - this report summarizes all data collected during production - from inspections of raw material to processing and ultimately - to finished product.
  • Tradex Foods offers all customers access to inspection reports delivering full – transparent traceability for all our products.

Step 7: Loading & Shipping

  • When inspection is complete and approved – inventory moves to the loading stage.
  • Supervisors return to randomly recheck product and oversee the loading of shipments onto containers.
  • When loading is complete, officials affix a seal to each container enabling officials in destination port to confirm signs of tampering.
  • Government Health Officials are the only people authorized to break seals prior to delivery.
  • Any resealing of containers is also documented.
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