REDBLISS from Colombia to Japan preliminary research

1. What are the main concerns (environmental, ethical, social, etc)

associated with your product? Concerns may be related to the physical
characteristics of the product (i.e., chemical composition) or negative
aspects related to methods of production.

● Environmental concerns: The production and processing of tomatoes, which is the

main ingredient in the REDBLISS sauce, can have environmental impacts such as
soil degradation, deforestation, and water pollution. The manipulation of pesticides,
fertilizers, and other chemicals in the production of the sauce, can also lead toward
environmental degradation.

● Ethical concerns:
● Criteria on the obligation to comply with relevant local, regional, and national
laws and regulations (including legal land tenure, title, and having legal rights
to use the production or management unit)
● Criteria on audit access: general policy (auditor’s freedom of access to facility
grounds, workers, production areas)
● Criteria related to denial of audit access (auditor prevented from fulfilling full
scope audit requirements)
● Criteria on records-keeping practices (allegations/fraud / grievances /historical
fines)
● Criteria relating to verification of business license and legality of
activities/settlement

● Social concerns: The way that workers are treated in a company environment is an
important discussion to take into consideration. This may include issues such as low
wages, poor working conditions, and lack of workers' rights.

● Health concerns: Depending on the specific ingredients and additives used in the
production, there may be health matters related to the consumption of the product.
For example, the excessive use of salt or sugar, that can cause health issues in
consumers, like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

2. What private standards or certification address such concerns? In

which way? Who creates these standards or certifications?

Food Safety System Certification 22000: FSSC 22000 contains a complete certification
scheme for Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) and is fully based on the
international, independent standards: ISO 22000, with sector-specific ISO technical
specifications for PRP’s and additional scheme requirements. FSSC 22000 is the only
ISO-based FSMS Certification Scheme that is recognized by the Global Food Safety
Initiative (GFSI). (StandardsMap, n.d.)

BRCGS Food Safety: The Standard is a voluntary, stakeholder-developed standard to allow

manufacturers to demonstrate that they are operating to high standards of food safety and
quality management. The Standard is based on HACCP principles supported by a
documented quality management system and good manufacturing processes assessed
through an annual audit. The company was founded in 1996 by retailers who wanted to
harmonize food safety standards across the supply chain.(StandardsMap, n.d.)

3.What are examples of good practices implemented in the industry associated

with your product?

For sustainable sourcing, importers can work with farmers and suppliers who use pest
management methods, in order to minimize the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and promote
biodiversity. Also, the producers can use innovative methods of manufacture that maximize
the use of raw materials and ingredients, and minimize waste.

Importers can put in place food safety management systems like Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Points (HACCP), which involves spotting and reducing possible risks
throughout production, to increase food safety and quality. Additionally, they can make sure
that every employee is trained in good hygiene and food safety procedures and regularly test
and inspect the finished product to guarantee its safety. It’s important, as producers, offer
comprehensive information on the origin of the ingredients used in food preparation,
including the location of the farm, the farming practices utilized, and any certifications or
quality requirements, to maintain transparency and traceability across the supply chain.

Besides, REDBLISS can collaborate with sellers who support safe and healthy working
conditions, fair pay and benefits for their employees. By following these procedures, the
consumers of the REDBLISS Trio Sauce Kit can assure that the product is made in an
ethical, responsible, and sustainable way, from an environmental perspective as well as
socially and economically.

References

StandardsMap. (n.d.).

https://www.standardsmap.org/es/identify?products=Food%26Beverages&origin=Colombia&

destination=Japan

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (n.d.). What is sustainable food

value chains? Retrieved from

https://www.fao.org/sustainable-food-value-chains/what-is-it/en/

Sustainable Food Trust. (n.d.). Measuring sustainability. Retrieved from

https://sustainablefoodtrust.org/our-work/measuring-sustainability/