Our Services

Sampling

The sampling stage consists of a careful, impartial, responsible, limited and representative selection of agricultural consignments. We are able to conduct sampling in accordance with the main national and international guidelines in order to ensure the composition, reduction, integrity, inviolability, traceability, custody, distribution and responsible disposal of samples drawn in accordance with applicable normative instructions, sales contracts or express instructions from our principals.

Testing

Testing is a crucial step in the certification process for agricultural goods. It is through tests, whether physical or chemical, quantitative or qualitative, that it is possible to validate specifications, fitness and manage risks.

With an accredited laboratory and a leader in the agricultural sector, we are able to provide tests and analyses that allow us to establish everything from the health of whole crops to the product identity and food safety of food intended for human or animal consumption.

Allergens Detection

  • Hazelnut
  • Almond
  • Peanut
  • Casein
  • Crustaceans
  • Sesame
  • Gliadin (Gluten)
  • Mustard
  • Nut
  • Egg
  • Soy

Detection and Quantification of Microbiological Pathogens

  • Mold and yeast count
  • Thermotolerant coliforms count
  • Total coliform count
  • Aerobic mesophilic microorganisms count
  • Aerobic thermophilic microorganisms count
  • Total plate count
  • E. coli O157: H7
  • Listeria
  • Listeria monocytogenes
  • Salmonella spp.

GMO Detection

Soybeans events

  • A5547-127 (Liberty Link)
  • A2704-12 (Liberty Link)
  • BAR
  • CP4-EPSPS
  • CV-127 (Cultivance)
  • DAS-44406-6 (Enlist E3)
  • DAS-68416-4 (Enlist)
  • DAS-81419-2
  • DP-305423 (Treus, Plenish)
  • DP-356043 (Optimun GAT)
  • FG72 (Balance GT)
  • Gene Cry1Ab-Ac
  • MON40-3-2 (Roundup Ready 1)
  • MON87701
  • MON87705 (Visitive Gold)
  • MON87708 (Genuity RR 2)
  • MON87751-7
  • MON87769
  • MON89788 (Roundup Ready 2)
  • NPT II
  • PAT
  • 35S Promotor
  • FMV Promotor
  • SAMS/ALS
  • SYHT0H2
  • 35S Terminator
  • NOS Terminator

Corn/maize events

  • 3272 (Agrisure Duracade)
  • 5307
  • BAR
  • Bt-11 (Agrisure CB Advantage)
  • Bt-176 (NaturGard KnockOut™)
  • DAS-40278-9
  • DAS-59122-7 (Herculex RW)
  • DP-4114
  • GA21 (Agrisure™GT, RR™)
  • MIR162 (Agrisure Viptera)
  • MIR604 (Agrisure RW)
  • MON NK603 (Roundup Ready 2)
  • MON810 (YieldGard, MaizeGard)
  • MON87411
  • MON87427
  • MON87460 (Genuity Drought Gard)
  • MON88017 (YieldGard VT RW)
  • MON89034 (YieldGard VT Pro)
  • NPT II
  • PAT
  • 35S Promotor
  • 35S-EU Promotor
  • FMV Promotor
  • T25 (Liberty Link)
  • TC1507 (Herculex I)
  • NOS Terminator

Detection and Quantification of Mycotoxins

  • Aflatoxin M1
  • Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2
  • Deoxynivalenol
  • Fumonisin B1, B2, B3
  • Ochratoxin A
  • T-2 / HT-2
  • Zearalenone

Physico-chemical testing in Sugar

  • Reducing sugar
  • Starch
  • Sand and silica
  • Organoleptic test
  • Conductivity ash
  • Sulphated ash
  • Colour ICUMSA
  • Dextran
  • Ether extract
  • Safety factor
  • Granulometry (MA/CV)
  • Heavy metals
  • Magnetic particles
  • Polarisation
  • Black points
  • Insoluble matter
  • Sulphur dioxide 
  • Turbidity
  • Moisture and volatile matter

Physico-chemical testing in Cereals 

  • Grading 
  • Organoleptic test 
  • Crude ash
  • Crude fibre
  • Expansion (Zea mays everta)
  • Test weight
  • Crude protein
  • Oil content
  • Moisture and volatile matter

Physico-chemical testing in Oilseeds

  • Grading
  • Organoleptic test
  • Sanitary testing (Glycine max)
  • Free fatty acids 
  • Crude fibre 
  • Crude protein
  • Oil content 
  • Moisture and volatile matter 

Physico-chemical testing in Soybean Meal

  • Sand and silica 
  • Ureatic activity
  • Organoleptic test 
  • Crude ash
  • Crude fibre
  • Crude protein
  • Oil content
  • Moisture and volatile matter

Inspections

We are a leading inspection company and a full member of the TIC Council which enables us to provide a wide range of services for agricultural goods and cargo compartments.

Pre-Shipment Inspections (PSI)

As the name suggests, Pre-Shipment Inspections enable an early detection of eventual quantitative and qualitative contractual non-conformities of the cargo before its shipment. Pre-Shipment Inspections may include inspection of storage conditions, inspection of packaging conditions, quantity inspections, sampling and tally of the stored product, which, when performed reasonably in advance of shipment, can eliminate unexpected costs later on.

Inspection of Cleanliness Conditions of Cargo Compartments

The presence of residues from previous cargoes, foreign matter, moisture, odors and infestations in cargo compartments can place substantial burdens on the market or even prevent the shipment of the goods. Our inspectors are trained to verify the cleanliness conditions of cargo compartments and to assess previous loads and applied cleaning methods in accordance with the IDTF Database or the FOSFA Acceptable Previous Cargoes List in order to avoid cross contamination.

Inspection of Packaging Conditions

International customs authorities, regulatory standards or contractual agreements may require packaging to meet minimum compliance criteria. The proper definition of a particular type of packaging may also be governed by the type of the goods or its method of transportation. Our inspectors are able to assess compliance with all applicable requirements and comment on the suitability of packaging.

Quantity Inspections

Quantity inspections require expertise and a suitable measurement engineering depending on the type of product. Our inspectors are able to combine two or more practical solutions for measuring the volumetric quantity of agricultural goods in order to minimize the risk of contractual disputes after the product is unloaded at the destination.

Draft Survey

Volumetric non-compliance of agricultural goods loaded in bulk on bulk carriers can result in unexpected dead freight costs or contractual disputes. The draft survey carried out by our inspectors allows us to determine with absolute precision of up to 0.5% the weight of the goods loaded in bulk by measuring the displacement of the draft after the end of the shipment in relation to the reading of the draft before loading commences.

Loading/Unloading Supervision

Bulk goods are naturally more exposed to risks of accidental contamination than unitized goods. Operating and climatic conditions are some of the aspects monitored by our inspectors during the shipment or unloading of consignments of agricultural bulk goods, constituting our effort to ensure that any risks to the goods during these stages are constantly monitored, allowing a quick response from port operators, when necessary .

Stuffing/Unstuffing Supervision

Tight deadlines and dynamic stuffing operations common in port areas can result in goods being loaded insecurely and indiscriminately, which can result in safety risks and damage to the goods. Our inspectors are trained to supervise cargo stuffing from start to finish, recording any anomalies during these stages as well as their operating conditions.

Supervision of Weighing

Prior to or during the shipment of the goods, it is essential to ensure that the weighing of the product takes place in a reliable, appropriate, assertive and impartial manner in order to avoid disputes. Weighing conditions are as important as the weighing itself since a variety of external factors can influence the assertiveness of the weighing method used. Our inspectors ensure that the weighing of unitized or bulk goods is carried out and documented in accordance with the needs of each type of product or applicable guidelines.

Supervision of Weathertigthness Tests 

Loss of tightness in cargo compartments continues to be a constant factor in damage to agricultural goods caused by unfavourable weather during transport. The tightness of cargo compartments must be ensured by the shipowners. Our inspectors may, however, be assured of the tightness of such compartments by witnessing the execution of tightness tests that simulate adverse weather conditions to be carried out by the owner of said compartment or its agent.

Sealing of Cargo Compartments

After transporting goods over long distances, it is common to hear reports where cargo compartments loaded with a given cargo arrive at their destination in an apparent safe condition, but when opened, were found to be short loaded or containing illicit specimes. In order to make it difficult for cargo compartments to tampered with, after the conclusion of our intervention, we carry out sealing of such compartments, indicating that their inviolability must be preserved until their arrival at their destination.

Fumigation

Reasons for fumigating include phytosanitary requirements, attempts to eradicate pest infestations, or as a prophylactic measure. Our applicators have the necessary experience and expertise to ensure fumigations with a high level of efficiency and in accordance with the main methods used by the market.

Certification

The certification of the results of our interventions of sampling, testing, inspections, certification and fumigation segments constitutes the conclusive stage of our activities. Our certificates can be issued either physically or electronically as well as being fully traceable and in full compliance with UCP 600, documentary instructions or express instructions from our principals. Some of the certificates issued by Control Quality include Cleanliness Certificate, Quantity, Quality and Packaging Certificate, Weight Certificate, Analysis Certificate, Certificate of Hygienic and Sanitary Condition , Packing List and Certificate of Sealing of Cargo Compartments.

© Control Quality Ltda.