TAG
Founded in 2013, The Acheson Group (TAG) led by former FDA Associate Commissioner for Foods Dr. David Acheson, has steadily expanded its areas of expertise across nations. TAG’s latest expansion, adds India to our global footprint which includes operations across North America, with team members in the U.S. and Canada. TAG also has a Latin America team, and has clients in Europe, Asia and Africa.
With the addition of TAG India, Indian food businesses can now receive the same suite of services offered throughout North America, from both India-based and North America-based experts. TAG can support food manufacturers and exporters in all facets of food safety and regulatory compliance.
With TAG’s expansion into India, Food Safety Specialist, Koshal Ram was welcomed as a new member of the team. Ram joins TAG with nearly three decades of experience working in low-acid agri-food manufacturing and has held technical and global leadership roles managing supply chain food safety and product quality with multiple companies. Ram has a diploma in Quality Assurance and ISO from the University of Chennai, India. He speaks four languages (English, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada) and is a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) and an FSVP Qualified Individual. He is trained in Food Safety and Standards Act 2006; ISO 2000 requirements; QAS Validation and verification of HACCP Plans – QAS Development and implementation of HACCP Plans; Acidified Food Manufacturing School (21CFR section 108.25(f) and 114.10); and FDA Acidified Foods.
Working in conjunction with Ram for TAG India is Director of Food Safety, Ranjeet Klair. Klair brings over two decades of industry experience working with Canadian, US and global food retailers, production plants, and certification bodies in food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. Klair holds a Master of Science degree in Food Sciences, Master of Global Food Law (Jurisprudence) degree, and a Bachelor of Applied Science and certification in International Food Laws and Regulations. Along with completing a Certification program for International Food Laws and Regulations, she has completed her latest degree in May 2020. She is a BRC, FSSC22000, HACCP, PCQI, FSVP trainer and BRC, SQF, FSSC, ISO 22000, Gluten-free, GMP, HACCP, and Canada GAP lead auditor.
As a key component of service to India, TAG will provide the expertise and resources to assist exporters in food safety efforts and domestic and foreign standards and regulatory compliance. We can assist or act as liaison for:
- Import alerts – FDA follow-up and/or corrective action recommendations for Detention Without Physical Examination (DWPE), import refusals
- FDA onsite inspection 483s and warning letters – We can provide recommendations for corrective action and assistance with the required FDA response
- FDA liaison – With experts who have been on both the industry and government sides – including a former FDA executive at the helm of TAG, our liaison services help to smooth and mediate communication between exporters and government agencies.
- India government authorities – TAG has established relationships with the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and can assist food producers with interaction with these authorities.
- Global standards and regulations – TAG works extensively with food producer preparation for global standards audits, including that of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI); we understand the vast diversity of foreign country food safety regulation and assist in compliance
- Training – TAG has certified trainers who can train and educate your staff in Seafood HACCP, Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rules and training requirements including Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI), Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP), Intentional Adulteration (IA), GFSI.
“With TAG’s 10-year anniversary quickly approaching, we are excited to bring on valuable new TAG Team members who can help further expand our business to different areas of the world,” said David Acheson, TAG CEO and President. “Ranjeet’s and Koshal’s expertise and ability to work onsite with clientele throughout India enables us to bring TAG support to India."
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