GENEVA: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched the IATA Catering Quality Assurance programme (ICQA). ICQA provides airlines with the industry's first global food processing safety and quality assurance programme using one set of global standards and guidelines with a harmonised auditing methodology.
Currently, caterers are subjected to numerous audits conducted by different auditing bodies with diverse assessment criteria. The situation is complicated and costly for airlines and the caterers they audit separately. ICQA simplifies the process, raises the bar on food quality management and cuts costs by reducing the number of audits conducted each year.
IATA is partnering with Medina Quality Assurance Services. Medina will audit catering facilities for compliance with ICQA standards on a contractual basis for programme participants. Over the last 25 years, Medina has conducted over 10,000 food safety and quality audits on caterers and food suppliers worldwide, for its airline clients.
Two types of audits will be used by airlines participating in the programme. Validation Audits consist of an unannounced on-site review of the caterer's facility and operations by Medina auditors that assess the degree of compliance with ICQA Standards and Guidelines. Web-based e-Audits are customised questionnaires designed to identify deficiencies. In both cases a final audit report is issued to the caterer and airline. In cases where two or more airlines wish to audit the same catering facility, costs can be shared and audit results pooled.
The programme is open to IATA member airlines and non-member airlines. An ICQA Council, made up of participating airlines, will soon be established to oversee the programme, approve the annual audit schedule, and update standards, guidelines and the audit methodology.
Air Canada, Aeroflot, Japan Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Northwest Airlines have already confirmed their participation in the programme.
More information on ICQA