11 replies to this topic

[Murae]

Hi All,

 

Can anyone tell me how they provide a quantity check/mass balance for an auditor for BRC. 

 

Also how do you get the information and where do you get it from?

 

I have recently found that our computer system may not record the waste from intake to finished products, which Is being looked into further.

 

I was hoping to get a few ideas in case I need to go down a different route.

 

If there is any further information you require please ask.

 

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

Murae

 

[Charles.C]

If there is any further information you require please ask.

 

 

Hi Murae,

 

Product /Process might be relevant.

[Murae]

Hi Charles,

 

As an example;

 

1000kg of raw material arrives at intake booked in etc.

the raw material is used at 250kg per product and put into mixing with other raw materials

on system expected waste is 4%

actual finished product comes out at 96% which confirms 4% waste

 

this is where I think the possible issue is that the system doesn't show where the 4% waste has gone.

 

The process is Intake - RM Storage - Mixing - Production - Packing - Warehouse.

[Charles.C]

Hi Murae,

 

The devil may be in the (process) details.

 

These may clarify a little  -

 

http://www.ifsqn.com...uring-an-audit/

http://www.ifsqn.com...nce/#entry29566

http://www.ifsqn.com...-balance-audit/

[Tony-C]

Hi Murae,

 

A loss of 4% wouldn't be frowned upon if you can show that this is a typical output.

 

It would help if you have a weight of product at each stage of your process :

RM Storage - Mixing - Production - Packing - Warehouse

 

Also there must be known losses such as overweight and samples that you can account for.

 

Regards,

 

Tony

 

 

[CMHeywood]

How much material was on hand.

Subtract how much was scrapped.

Subtract how much is in finished goods still in inventory.

Subtract how much finished goods shipped.

This should then equal the amount of still left in inventory.

[Tony-C]

How much material was on hand.

Subtract how much was scrapped.

Subtract how much is in finished goods still in inventory.

Subtract how much finished goods shipped.

This should then equal the amount of still left in inventory.

 

Is this final product you are referring to?

 

Regards,

 

Tony

[Murae]

Hi All,

 

the 4% typical output is based on regular stock RM stock checks and this is calculated over a period of time, which in turn gives the % on the system.

When conducting a mass balance check on the RM after taking everything into account, Quantity on arrival, quantity put into each mix, quantity of packed product and dispatched this left a figure of 3.9% waste.

 

It is the raw material I was referring to.

 

Murae

[fuse_23]

hi,

 

is this mass balance applicable for the primary packaging materials as well?

[Tony-C]

hi,

 

is this mass balance applicable for the primary packaging materials as well?

 

Hi Fuse_23,

 

That is correct, a typical requirement for example from BRC Food would be: The site shall test the traceability system across the range of product groups to ensure traceability can be determined from the supplier of raw material (including primary packaging) to the finished product and vice versa, including quantity check/mass balance.

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

[fuse_23]

Hi Tony,

 

thank you for the reply.  But how about for the FSSC/SQF requirement?  So means if auditor asked as to traced back we need to show records as well?  Anyone can share here how you do your recording/stock maintenance for the packaging materials.  Thanks again.

[Tony-C]

What the SQF Code says
2.6.2 Product Trace (Mandatory)
2.6.2.1 The responsibility and methods used to trace product shall be documented and implemented to ensure:
i. Finished product is traceable to the customer (one up) and provides traceability through the process to the manufacturing supplier and date of receipt of raw materials, food contact packaging and materials and other inputs (one back);

ISO 22000:2018 Requirements:
8.3 Traceability system
The traceability system shall be able to uniquely identify incoming material from the suppliers and the first stage of the distribution route of the end product. When establishing and implementing the traceability system, the following shall be considered as a minimum.

 

You record packaging type, batch number and quantity used including any known waste.

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony