In the field of food and beverage procurement, the core demands of consumer goods buyers are not only the cost-effectiveness of products but also food safety and compliance. Various qualification certificates provided by suppliers are the key basis for ensuring the legality of the procurement process and the quality of products. This article sorts out the core certification documents that suppliers must provide when purchasing food and beverages, as well as key verification points, to provide reference for consumer goods buyers to avoid procurement risks.
Core Requirements: Two Essential Basic Qualification Certificates
For domestically produced food and beverage products, consumer goods buyers must require suppliers to provide two core qualification certificates, neither of which can be missing. First, the "Food Production License" (i.e., SC Certificate), which is the core document proving that an enterprise has the legal qualification for food production and the basic prerequisite for products to enter the circulation link. Food and beverages produced by manufacturers without this certificate pose significant compliance risks and must not be included in the procurement scope.
Second, the corresponding "Inspection Report" for the product. This report directly reflects the quality status of a single batch or regular products and must clearly show that all indicators of the product meet national food safety standards. Buyers should focus on checking the completeness of inspection items and the qualification of inspection results to avoid purchasing products with excessive indicators or unqualified quality, and control food safety from the source.
Special Scenarios: Imported Food and Beverages Require Additional Quarantine Certificates
If the purchased food and beverages involve imported categories, suppliers must additionally provide the "Inspection and Quarantine Certificate for Imported Goods". This certificate is a legal document proving that imported food has passed customs inspection and quarantine, is qualified, and is allowed to be sold in the domestic market. It includes key information such as product name, specification, country of origin, and date of entry, which can effectively prove the compliance and safety of imported products and prevent "three-no" imported food from entering the procurement chain.
Key Reminders: Verify the Authenticity and Validity of Certificates, and Add Testing for High-Risk Categories
After obtaining various certificates provided by suppliers, consumer goods buyers must not be careless and must verify the authenticity and validity of the certificates through official channels. You can log in to official platforms such as the State Administration for Market Regulation, enter the certificate number and other information for verification, to avoid suppliers using forged or expired certificates to muddle through.
In addition, for high-risk food and beverage categories such as canned food, dairy products, and frozen food, it is recommended to require suppliers to provide third-party testing reports in addition to basic certificates. The test results of third-party institutions are more objective and credible, which can further reduce procurement risks, ensure stable product quality, and build a solid safety line for the subsequent sales link.
