Packaging Purchase Requirements for Fruits in BRC

Hi:

I'm starting to implement the BRC global standard Food in a Fresh Fruit Packing which exports to its products into UK and USA.

The Fresh fruits are defined by the BRC as a retailer's brand product, however fruits are not sold with their original packaging materials.

Is it required that fresh fruits packaging producers (companies that produces boxes, PLU plasters...) meets the BRC standard for Packaging or maybe just our company have to run a risk analysis and an approval procedure?

I would be grateful if somebody could help me

Thanks

R Wagner

Hello,

Most retailers require all packaging suppliers to achieve the BRC standard for packaging. The retailers over here enjoy ROI and their amazing power allows them to force cost down the supply chain wherever possible. We all get cheap goods but dozens of nuts get crushed along the way.

SQA has been a large cost for retailers in the past and as you can imagine for someone like Tescos that cost may have run into six figures a year. Now with the BRC Food, Packaging and now Consumer Products standards this shifts the onus of responsibility and saves them a bundle.

From what you've told us so far I would say yes the packaging supplier would need to be certified and would probably be Category A (lower level). When ‘if ever' the pressure would be applied if you did decide to take no action is the unknown factor.

Carl

Thanks Carl

I will promote the BRC packaging standard among my providers. However I do not know If they 'll can comply it.

Rodrigo

Carl

There isn't a requirement under the BRC Food Standard for packaging suppliers to comply with the BRC Packaging standard - its up to you to have a system in place for the control and monitoring of suppliers.

However a particular customer may force this requirement on their supplier.

Regards

Ken