28 replies to this topic

[Angus]

Dear All,

I just came across some notes from a quality course I attended a very long time ago re the writing of a quality policy. Thought it may also be useful when putting together a food safety policy:

1)Introduction (what the company does)
2)Objectives (the company's intention with re to "quality" (read food safety)
3)Commitment
4)How (how objectives will be achieved)
5)Basis (ref to appropriate std)
6)Directive (requirement for support)
7)Result (what will be achieved)

Any thoughts?
Thx
Toni

[elias.loisos]

Hi Toni,

When you say quality program, do you mean something specific (like a procedure lets say) or general?

Looks good to me, I think you could even use this as a letter of guarantee. I send these every year to companies that store and use our transport.

[Angus]

Elias,

When putting together a Food Safety Program for certification purposes it is often a requirement for the company to compose a Food Safety Policy. (So its general rather than a specific procedure.) As I'm working on my first one, I thought I would throw this one up for comment.


Thx for your reply.
Toni

[Charles Chew]

Hi Tony,

Structurally, IMO, its not too bad. Generally, food safety objectives (FSO) cover conformances with agreed customer requirements including the reference standard you are using and compliance with relevant regulatory / statutory requirements. BTW, because it is food, the FSO has to be based on zero tolerance. All the best and have fun!

Edited by Charles Chew, 11 January 2009 - 10:47 AM.

[Jean]

Dear All,

I would like to know the frequency for conducting review of the food safety policy. Have any auditors recommended this during the audits?

[cazyncymru]

Dear All,

I would like to know the frequency for conducting review of the food safety policy. Have any auditors recommended this during the audits?

I would do it annually in line with BRC 1.6 when you review your HACCP plan.

keep it simple!

[Jean]

Thank you Caz for your response.

[mpa]

Hi, everyone!!! I´m Mariana from Uruguay and I´m new at this forum. I work at a rice industry and we are implemeting the HACCP Plan, and we have to certificate in one year approx.

I read the steps of the food safety policy. I´m looking for an written example. Toni, can you attach the safe policy to have an example ?

Many thanks,

Mariana

[Soda]

Food Safety
And
Quality Policy


Company Backgrounsd. In an industry such as ours the prime objective is to produce the best possible product and service to our customers. COMPANY NAME delivers, safe, legal, quality, value products and service at its best to our customers. We recognise the importance of employees in achieving these aims and are committed to their personal development. The company strive for continual development of its Quality Management System.


Site Manager: Date

[mpa]

Thanks a lot!! I think i wasn´t clear about my doubt. I need a document that describes all the topics that Toni Mentioned:

1)Introduction (what the company does)
2)Objectives (the company's intention with re to "quality" (read food safety)
3)Commitment
4)How (how objectives will be achieved)
5)Basis (ref to appropriate std)
6)Directive (requirement for support)
7)Result (what will be achieved)

I need an example of what to write in each points.

Thanks a lot

Mariana

[Angus]

Mariana,

I am sending off my documentation for review by the company doing the certification in the next couple of weeks. So if you are not in a hurry I will post the Safety Policy (together with any comments / recommendations) after they review it. It may be best to wait as I don't want to give you wrong info.

Thx
Toni

(P.S. Thx Charles for your comments - I am having fun, a bit sad hey?)

[mpa]

Ok, that´s ok. Good luck with the papers!!
Thanks a lot.
Mariana

[MeL]

Hi!

I'm currently working with an airline catering company and i have a project rightnow re food safety policy. Can anyone help me? I need a sample of policy or policies. Been looking anywhere but couldn't find a straight sample. *sigh*


Thanks...

[Jean]

Dear Mel,

I have pasted below a sample, though I don't recollect the source (should be a sample from this forum itself). Hope this is useful.


FOOD SAFETY POLICY STATEMENT

(FOOD SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM – ISO 22000:2005)

ABC LTD is committed to:
1. Implementing a Food Safety Management System with an aim to produce and supply safe quality end products that meet customers’ satisfactions and expectations.

2. Comply with legal obligations and to protect the consumers with consistent safe food products through the application of good manufacturing/hygiene practices and HACCP principles.

3. Ensuring all employees involved in food production receive appropriate and adequate training in food safety and handling courses.

4. Ensuring that both internal and external communications regarding food safety are fully addressed.


The food business operators ensure that:

1. Only raw materials from approved sources or certified suppliers are used in food production.
2. Recipes or food composition must not be modified without approval from top management.
3. All critical control processes are under control.
4. Outsourcing of products and/or services complies with expected or predetermined requirements.
5. All personnel are committed to the food safety management program to ensure safe food production.
6. Restricted known food additives or allergens when used in food must be declared.
7. Foods are hygienically packed and supplied in a suitable manner to safeguard consumers’ safety and health.
Business performance is attained through the continual improvements of:

 Operational efficiency and customer satisfaction
 Assurance of safe quality production processes
 Assurance of products manufactured within our premises are safe for consumption
 Waste minimization


The Company requires its employees to commit to food safety:

As an employee, it is your responsibility to:
 Observe all food safety regulations and procedures.
 Observe personnel hygiene standards and requirements laid down in the Code of Hygiene Practices.
 Act in a manner of which does not endanger yourself, your work mates, the public and the environment.
 Whenever required, protect the food safety management system.





Signature
…………………………………………….
Managing Director / Date

[MeL]

Hi Jean,

Thank you very much for the help, it's a big one, honest!

Another thing, my boss mentioned a sample policy she would like me to look for over the net like "no glass policy" or "no wood policy". I only hear it but unfortunately i could find a written policy or policies like those. Any idea?

Again thank you for the big help you have given.


warm regards,

MeL

[Jean]

Hi MeL,

You are welcome.

IMO, policies on wood & glass should be made suiting the respective unit where it will be implemented. If I come across any samples, then will post it here.

[Rich G.]

Hello everyone,
I am a consultant and I have been writing a lot of HACCP plans recently and curious is anyone knows or uses a good HACCP software for writing the plans, currently I am doing all from scratch (6 in the past 4 weeks) and the formating etc. is getting old.
Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

[MeL]

Hi MeL,

You are welcome.

IMO, policies on wood & glass should be made suiting the respective unit where it will be implemented. If I come across any samples, then will post it here.

---

Hi Jean,

Thank you very much for all the help. I'll look forward to it. My boss is giving me 1 more week to finish my research.

Warm regards,

MeL

[elias.loisos]

Hello everyone,
I am a consultant and I have been writing a lot of HACCP plans recently and curious is anyone knows or uses a good HACCP software for writing the plans, currently I am doing all from scratch (6 in the past 4 weeks) and the formating etc. is getting old.
Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

I use a software called MyHaccp for document control and so on.

[AS NUR]

DEar elias..

can you give the brief what is Myhaccp software? how that software work ? and any literature to explain that MyHaccp?

Thanks

[elias.loisos]

AS NUR,

MyHaccp is software designed to manage your control sheets. Basically in my warehouse all employees fill in their control sheets electronically. Once saved and filed I can access the control sheet and make file verification etc. The software can also be ported to a PDA so employees fill checklist and control sheets on the spot.

[cazyncymru]

DEar elias..

can you give the brief what is Myhaccp software? how that software work ? and any literature to explain that MyHaccp?

Thanks

Personally i wouldn't waste my money.
I find you can do it just as well in Excel, and use something like Sharepoint to control your documents.

I've never seen MyHaccp and have no idea how it works, so i'd be interested to see what others think.

Caz

[AS NUR]

AS NUR,

MyHaccp is software designed to manage your control sheets. Basically in my warehouse all employees fill in their control sheets electronically. Once saved and filed I can access the control sheet and make file verification etc. The software can also be ported to a PDA so employees fill checklist and control sheets on the spot.

Dear Elias..

Thanks for your info.. yup.. very intersesting software.. actually i using excell for doc. control and share it trough intra net..

[angelica]

Hi Jean,

Thank you very much for the help, it's a big one, honest!

Another thing, my boss mentioned a sample policy she would like me to look for over the net like "no glass policy" or "no wood policy". I only hear it but unfortunately i could find a written policy or policies like those. Any idea?

Again thank you for the big help you have given.


warm regards,

MeL

Hi MeL,

this is what we have. Hope it helps you. I'll appreciate any thought

Glass and fragile plastic policy
it’s policy of COMPANY to avoid the use of fragile plastic and glass in the processor plant. In those cases in which the use is indispensable, we have precautions to prevent rupture and procedures to prevent food contamination if breakage occurs.




Precautions:

Identification of glasses and fragile plastics

Weekly verification of integrity of glasses and fragile plastics (fissure detection)

Protections for glasses and fragile plastics

Lights and windows installed at least 3 m away of zones of exposed food

Transparent sheet adhered to panels in windows, to avoid the loosening of parts in case of breakage

Personnel with eyeglasses uses security cord

Containers of glass or fragile plastic such as drink bottles or other containers are not allowed outside the rest room.



If breakage occurs:

Stop production

Try to fix the piece

If we have all the parts continue production (remember we have it far away food).

If we don’t have all the parts:

Segregate exposed product

Get rid of the parts found

Clean the zone thoroughly

Continue production

regards,

Angélica

[AS NUR]

in my company.. we have same matter with Angelica's.. plus all of light in production zone must have cover, and we avoid any glasses for sampling material during production...
we put plastic and glass policy in our PRP, and we have SOP for unsafe product handling and SOP for Glass/plastic broken handling...