Food safety and compliance
Requirements diverge sharply between green and roasted, so they are set out separately. Our certification status is published in full rather than summarised.
What is required to export green coffee?
FDA Food Facility Registration for the foreign facility, the US importer FSVP programme with a named qualified individual, Prior Notice filed before arrival, an ICO certificate of origin, a phytosanitary certificate, and EUDR geolocation evidence for EU shipments.
| Requirement | Applies to | Carried by |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Food Facility Registration | US-bound | The foreign facility |
| FSVP with named qualified individual | US-bound | The US importer, not the exporter |
| Prior Notice | US-bound, every shipment | Importer or filing agent |
| ICO certificate of origin | Most markets | Exporter |
| Phytosanitary certificate | Most markets | Brazilian plant health authority |
| EUDR geolocation and due diligence statement | EU-bound | The EU market operator, evidenced by us |
What extra applies to roasted coffee?
Everything above, plus destination labelling law and food safety certification. Roasted coffee is a consumer food product rather than an ingredient commodity, which brings it inside a whole regulatory regime green coffee sits outside.
| Market | Regime | The requirement most often missed |
|---|---|---|
| United States | FDA food labelling | Name and place of business of the responsible party |
| European Union | Regulation 1169/2011 (FIC) | A named EU-established food business operator on the pack |
| Canada | CFIA labelling | Bilingual English and French |
| Brazil (domestic) | Anvisa labelling rules | Front-of-pack nutrition labelling |
Do you hold food safety certification?
No. We claim no certification today. SQF or BRCGS gates private label, grocery and major foodservice accounts, and buyers verify it directly with the certification body — so an implied claim would be found out in the first audit, and rightly.
| Certification | Scope | Status | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| SQF (Safe Quality Food) | Food safety — gates private label, grocery and major foodservice | Not held | — |
| BRCGS Food Safety | Food safety — accepted in place of SQF by most EU and UK buyers | Not held | — |
| Organic (USDA NOP / EU) | Green and roasted | Not held | — |
| Fairtrade | Green | Not held | — |
| Rainforest Alliance | Green | Not held | — |
| Kosher | Roasted | Not held | — |
| Halal | Roasted | Not held | — |
| CQI R-Grading | Fine Robusta cup grading | Not held | — |
If your programme requires certification in hand, we are not ready for that account yet. Saying so now is cheaper for both of us than saying it after a tender.
Frequently asked questions
Does food safety certification block a private label deal?
For grocery, major foodservice and most private label programmes, yes. Buyers in those channels require SQF or BRCGS from the manufacturing site and verify it directly with the certification body. We claim no certification today and publish our status openly rather than implying readiness.
Who files FSVP, the exporter or the importer?
The US importer files it, not the exporter. FSVP requires the importer to verify that the foreign supplier meets US food safety standards and to name a qualified individual responsible for the programme. If you buy FOB, that obligation is yours.
What does EUDR require for coffee entering the EU?
Plot-level geolocation data proving the coffee was not grown on land deforested after 31 December 2020, plus a due diligence statement filed by the operator placing it on the EU market. EUDR documentation for EU shipments is confirmed in writing with each EU buyer before contract.
Do labelling rules differ between green and roasted coffee?
Substantially. Green moves as an ingredient commodity and carries shipping marks, certificates and phytosanitary documentation. Roasted coffee is a consumer food product and must satisfy destination labelling law — US FDA, EU FIC with an EU-based responsible person, or Canadian bilingual requirements.
Request green offerings
Tell us what you roast and at what volume, and we will send the current position with a basis.
Request green offeringsRequest a private label capabilities packet
Formats, minimums, lead times and certification status, in one document.
Request the capabilities packet