3-A Sanitary Standards Inc. (3-A SSI) announced that Sue Neisen has earned the Certified Conformance Evaluator (CCE) accreditation. Neisen retired Sept. 30 after more than six years as a Dairy Equipment Specialist with the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS). Prior to that, she was a State Dairy Inspector with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture for more than eight years.

"Every new accreditation of a Certified Conformance Evaluator (CCE) is a step forward for the food processing industry," says Meri Beth Wojtaszek, executive director of 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. "By expanding our roster of CCEs, we are opening the door for more equipment manufacturers to demonstrate conformance with 3-A Sanitary Standards. Ultimately, this means food processors will have more options when shopping for equipment bearing the trusted 3-A Symbol—equipment they increasingly demand for their operations."

With more than 14 years of experience as a regulator, Neisen is exceptionally qualified to provide CCE services to equipment manufacturers. In her role with USDA AMS, Neisen served as an agency expert, conducting inspections, grading dairy products, and evaluating processing equipment and facilities to ensure compliance with U.S. quality standards and federal specifications. Before that, she served the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as a Dairy Inspector for more than eight years. In this role, she conducted comprehensive food safety and sanitation inspections across dairy farms, dairy plants, and bulk milk haulers, enforcing federal and state regulations, including the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) and Good Manufacturing Practices.

“The 3-A Sanitary Standards are a win-win for equipment manufacturers and food processors alike,” says Neisen. “At a time when more food processors are discovering the value of 3-A certification, it is an honor to help 3-A deliver on this part of its important mission.”

The CCE credential requires candidates to meet strict education and experience requirements, pass a comprehensive written examination, and complete specialized training. CCEs conduct Third Party Verification (TPV) inspections that equipment manufacturers must obtain to use the recognized 3-A Symbol, which demonstrates conformance to 3-A Sanitary Standards.

Since implementing the TPV program in 2003, 3-A SSI CCEs have completed thousands of inspections at fabrication facilities across the United States and in more than 46 other countries, ensuring equipment used in food and beverage processing meets critical safety standards.