Can anyone tell me what a policy manual is and what would be included in it?
The SQF code states:
"4.1.3.1. Policy
ManualA Policy
Manual shall be documented. It shall outline the
methods the organization will use to meet the requirements of
this Standard, be made available to staff and include:
i. A summary of the organizations food safety and
quality policies and the methods it will apply to meet
the requirements of this standard;
ii. The Policy Statement and Organization Chart;
iii. The Scope of the Certification; and
iv. A list of the products covered under the Scope of
Certification."
the SQF guidance documentation further goes on to say:
"The Supplier must prepare a Policy
Manual that outlines the methods used to meet the requirements of the
Code in regard to its food safety and quality obligations. The Policy
Manual will include your policy
statement and an organizational chart. This document will contain the food safety and food quality policies
and include information on how the Supplier will make the Policy
Manual available to key staff. The
Supplier may also provide the
manual to potential customers to inform them of how the Supplier has set
up and maintained a food safety and
quality management system.
At Level 2 of the SQF certification, you are required to prepare a Food Safety Plan using the
HACCP Method
(see 9.0). The Policy
Manual will contain a description of how this will be (or was) achieved initially and
how it is maintained on an ongoing basis. Tip – Keep it brief and concise. You must include the Policy
Manual in the annual SQF System Review."