Certification Scheme For Food Fortification Inspectors/Auditors (CSFFI)

Education: 1) Higher National Diploma (HND) or Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.) Degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Food Science and Technology, Industrial Chemistry, Science Laboratory Technology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Microbiology or Pharmacy. 2) Master of Science (M. Sc.) or Doctor of Philology (Ph.D.) Degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Food Science and Technology, Industrial Chemistry, Nutrition and Dietetics, Microbiology or Pharmaceutical Chemistry/Analysis. 3) A broad experience in quality control/assurance in industry or government agencies Work Experience 4) For (1) above, a minimum of two (2) year cognate experience in an analytical, water or food laboratory. 5) For (2) above, a minimum of one (1) year cognate experience in an analytical, water or food laboratory. In addition, candidates shall: 6) Have successfully attended (and obtained a level of competency at the first level/training course) adjudged to be adequate to proceed to the second/advanced level. This occurs online automatically. 6) Demonstrate high observation and recording skills to be able to ensure no issues are missed during the inspections/audits

Persons certified as Food Fortification Inspectors/Auditors are expected to have acceptable competency when carrying out applicable tasks that are expected for effective performance of the job function. These include but are not limited to the core duties. 2.3.1 Core Duties for Food Fortification Inspector/Auditor 1. Understand the principles and importance of food fortification and its impact on public health. 2. Apply global best practices in compliance monitoring for industrial fortification processes. 3. Implement effective quality control and quality assurance protocols in the fortification of food products. 4. Recognize and address potential food safety issues within the fortification process. 5. Utilize modern tools and techniques for auditing and inspecting fortified food production facilities. 6. Engage with alternative compliance information retrieval methods, including the use of consumer feedback and national databases. 7. Lead and manage enforcement measures for non-compliance in food fortification standards

An outline of Test Content Areas is listed below. Each content area has a Knowledge, Skill or Ability (KSA) requirement needed to carry out the Core Duties which are enumerated above. To demonstrate acceptable competency, most of the Knowledge, Skills or Abilities are equally important and required to perform the Core Duties. 2.4.1 Test Content Areas for CFFI/A 2.4.1.1 Knowledge of: Course Content Overview: 1. Introduction to Food Fortification: • Importance, benefits, and global trends in food fortification. • Overview of nutritional deficiencies addressed by fortification. 2. Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement: • Frameworks and methodologies for monitoring fortification processes. • International standards and regulations governing food fortification. • Strategies for enforcement and compliance improvement. • Nigeria Compliance monitoring framework 1. Market 2. Factory 3. Household 3. Quality Control and Assurance in Food Fortification: • Setting up quality control systems in food production. • Best practices in quality assurance for fortified foods. • Role of quality control in ensuring product safety and compliance. 4. Food Safety in Fortification: • Identifying and mitigating food safety hazards in fortification. • Application of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) in fortified food production. • Emerging concerns and solutions in fortified food safety. 5. Auditing Techniques for Fortified Food Facilities: • Tools and technologies for effective auditing. • Conducting audits: planning, execution, reporting, and follow-up. • Case studies and simulations of auditing scenarios. 6. Alternative Methods for Compliance Information: • Leveraging consumer groups and feedback for quality improvement. • Utilizing national databases and information systems for monitoring compliance. 7. Global Best Practices and Case Studies: • Lessons from successful fortification programs worldwide. • Innovations and future directions in food fortification. 2.4.1.2 Skill to: i) Sharp observation skills and knowledge of quality assurance tools ii) Establish and maintain good interpersonal and effective working relationships with superiors and subordinates. 2.4.1.3 Ability to: i) Ability to perform and comprehend spot tests when required. ii) Interpret results and readings in the laboratory. iii) Understand applications of results of laboratory testing, including advanced laboratory calculations, use of statistical tools and relevant computer packages iv) Understand the application of corrective/preventive actions for dissemination to line workers. v) Reference current monographs, International, National standards and regulations regarding food safety. Food Fortification Inspectors/Auditors (FFI/A) candidates should be conversant with advanced knowledge and skills in compliance monitoring, quality control, quality assurance and food safety within the fortification industry. Food Fortification Inspectors/Auditors (FFI/A) Certification is designed to leverage global best practices to enhance the proficiency of professionals in ensuring the safety and quality of Fortified foods, aligning with international standards thereby improving public health outcomes.

This Code of Ethics is a benchmark of the standards expected of IPAN-SoTLAN certificate holders and applicants in order to reaffirm the value of having an IPAN-SoTLAN certification. It is aimed at ensuring public confidence in the integrity and professional services of IPAN-SoTLAN certified persons in the course of performing their duties. All IPAN-SoTLAN certificate holders and applicants are expected to meet the following standards of professional conduct and ethics: 1) Conduct themselves in an honest, unbiased, responsible and independent manner while performing their professional duties. 2) Always act in the best interest of their employer, their clients, the public, and the profession in accordance with the professional standards and applicable techniques in the course of their duties. 3) Maintain competency in their respective fields; strive to constantly improve their skills and offer only professional services for which they are competent to perform. 4) Inform each employer or client of any business interests or affiliations which might influence their judgment or impair their fairness. 5) Treat confidentially all information obtained from any present or former employer or client during professional and business dealings. 6) Comply with applicable laws and regulations with regard to professional activities and duties. 7) Respect the intellectual property and contributions of others. Also, in all dealings with IPAN-SoTLAN: : i) Provide accurate and complete information and abide by IPAN-SoTLAN’s Policies and Procedures, including this Code of Ethics, as they may be updated from time to time; ii) Represent themselves honestly throughout the entire certification process. iii) Adhere to all examination rules/regulations and make no attempt to complete the examination dishonestly or to assist any other person in doing so. iv) Refrain from activities that may jeopardize the reputation of IPAN-SoTLAN or the integrity of its Certification programmes for persons and cooperate during any inquiry arising from any claimed infringement of this code of Ethics. Any certified person who violates any provision of this Code of Ethics will be subject to disciplinary action after due process which may result in suspension, or withdrawal of certification.

For initial certification in any category, all applicants must apply and shall meet the required prerequisites, fulfill the necessary assessment/examination requirements and any other requirements for the issuance of certification. The validity of the certification shall be for a period of three (3) years and thereafter all certified persons have to be recertified. Also, during the three years certification period, certified persons shall be required to annually maintain their certification by submission of verifiable records/evidence of continuing professional development and continuing satisfactory work performance in addition to adhering to the prescribed code of conduct. In case of major changes in the technical areas (Knowledge, Skill and Ability) of Certification Scheme, the Certification Scheme Development Committee will require certified persons to be recertified before the end of the validity of their certification. For recertification, before the expiration of three (3) years certification period; all such certified persons must apply for recertification and shall meet the required prerequisites, provide satisfactory evidence/records of continuing professional development and continuing satisfactory work experience within the period of initial certification; fulfill the necessary recertification assessment/examination requirements; adhered to the prescribed code of conduct during the initial certification period and any other prescribed requirements for recertification.

The assessment method for initial certification shall be the verification of the eligibility of all applicants through the specific evaluation of prerequisite experiences of candidates as stated in their application forms, confirmation that the claimed prerequisite experiences are related to competent skills and abilities required of a laboratory analyst and a success at pass level at the certification examination. Pass score for Food Fortification Inspector/Auditor certification examination is 70 %. For recertification, the assessment method shall be through verification of a certified person's satisfactory job performance and records of continuing professional development to ensure continued compliance with the requirements of certification scheme during the periods of initial certification and success at pass level of the applicable written recertification examination. Food Pass score for Food Fortification Inspector/Auditor certification examination is 70 %.

The certification of certified persons shall be suspended or withdrawn as the case may be if they violate the certification code of conduct, fail or are unable to continually fulfill the competence/requirements of the certification scheme and/or have unsatisfactory surveillance reports.