IDFA joins 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. (3-A SSI) in alerting dairy companies that a growing number of Chinese companies are using the trademarked 3-A Symbol without authorization. The list of unauthorized users has doubled in size since 3-A SSI initially reported the violations last June, from seven to now 15 companies.

3-A SSI licenses use of the symbol to companies around the world for equipment that meets 3-A Sanitary Standards for design and fabrication.

“The unauthorized use is not only misleading, but potentially damaging to customers who purchase equipment assuming it has been designed to, and certified as meeting, the criteria of a 3-A Sanitary Standard,” said John Allan, IDFA vice president of regulatory affairs and international standards, who serves on the Board of Directors of 3-A SSI.

3-A SSI yesterday updated the online list of companies that currently display the trademarked 3-A Symbol without authorization or make unsupported equivalent claims of 3-A SSI approval. It is available under, “Buyer Beware: False or Misleading Claims.”

3-A SSI also maintains a public database of authorized 3-A Symbol licensees to show all equipment that conforms to 3-A Sanitary Standards for dairy and food processing equipment and meets provisions of the 3-A Symbol program. The 3-A Symbol is registered as the legal property of 3-A SSI by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Access to the “3-A Symbol Holder Database” is available on the 3-A SSI website.

IDFA is a founding member of 3-A SSI. For more information, contact Allan at jallan@idfa.org.