| Food-safety management | Whether the supplier operates a documented hazard-analysis and preventive-control system for vegetable powders, spices, carriers, and blending operations. | A documented HACCP-based system, with certification to a recognized food-safety scheme preferred for higher-risk or retail programs. | Current certificate, scope of certification, latest audit summary, corrective-action records, and site-audit access. | 20% |
| Microbiological control | Testing for pathogens, indicator organisms, yeast, and mold, especially in low-moisture ingredients and finished seasoning blends. | Every production lot should have a certificate of analysis with clearly defined limits agreed in the product specification. | Recent laboratory reports, sampling plan, laboratory accreditation details, pathogen-control procedure, and product-release records. | 15% |
| Raw-material traceability | Ability to trace vegetables, herbs, spices, salt, sugar, yeast extract, carriers, and processing aids from incoming material to finished batch. | One-step-back and one-step-forward traceability, supported by batch coding and a documented mock recall. | Traceability procedure, sample batch records, supplier-approval program, and mock-recall results. | 10% |
| Ingredient and allergen control | Accuracy of the ingredient declaration and control of allergens, genetically modified ingredients, irradiation status, and cross-contact risks. | A controlled master formula and allergen-management plan that match the destination-market labeling requirements. | Full ingredient statement, allergen matrix, formulation-change procedure, and cross-contact validation records. | 10% |
| Product specifications | Consistency of flavor, color, aroma, particle size, moisture, bulk density, solubility, and sodium level. | A signed specification with measurable acceptance limits, sensory criteria, and defined test methods before commercial production. | Technical data sheet, approved reference sample, laboratory methods, retention-sample policy, and change-notification procedure. | 15% |
| Contaminant and authenticity testing | Controls for heavy metals, pesticide residues, mycotoxins, unauthorized dyes, adulteration, and economically motivated substitution. | Risk-based testing based on ingredient origin, crop type, processing method, and destination-country requirements. | Risk assessment, accredited-laboratory reports, pesticide-residue program, and authenticity or identity-testing records. | 10% |
| Regulatory and labeling support | The supplier’s ability to provide documentation needed for import, customs, food registration, and local labeling review. | Documentation should be prepared for the buyer’s destination market rather than relying only on domestic compliance records. | Product specification, certificate of analysis, safety data where applicable, origin documents, allergen statement, and labeling information. | 8% |
| Production capacity and lead time | Whether the supplier can maintain supply during seasonal vegetable availability changes, demand increases, and international shipping disruptions. | Require a written production lead time, minimum order quantity, monthly capacity indication, and contingency plan. | Capacity statement, production schedule, historical on-time delivery data, inventory policy, and business-continuity plan. | 5% |
| Packaging and shelf life | Protection against moisture, oxygen, light, contamination, and physical damage during storage and ocean or air transportation. | Packaging must be suitable for dry powders, food-contact compliant where required, and supported by a validated shelf-life statement. | Packaging specification, migration or compliance declaration where applicable, storage conditions, shelf-life study, and pallet details. | 4% |
| Commercial transparency | Clarity of pricing, Incoterms, payment terms, sample policy, testing costs, formulation fees, and claims-handling procedure. | All commercial assumptions should be stated in writing and remain consistent between quotation, sample, purchase order, and contract. | Formal quotation, pro forma invoice, sales contract, Incoterms reference, warranty terms, and complaint-resolution process. | 3% |