24 replies to this topic

[rheath]

Following our recent BRC Audit, it has been recommended that we use food grade pens on the shop floor.

My only problem is that all the suppliers I have contacted have not got a clue what Food Grade Pens are..

The description of the pen I have been given is that they are 1 piece & made of a rubber compound that will not shatter.

Anyone got any ideas on the spec & where I can get them from?

Thanks

Richard

[Simon]

I'm a fool to give away free advertising but your worth it! Here's a pen that's good enough to eat Stainless Steel Pen, that is if you can afford it. I have seen the rubber ones you mention before but I'm waiting for the brain cells to let me know where.

Don't forget to tell them about Saferpak.


Simon

Edited by Simon, 20 September 2010 - 10:10 AM.
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[rheath]

Eeek, afford them in deed..

I presume for the price there is an anti theft explosive devise that is activated if the pens leave site (which I'm sure they will).

Thanks for info, I'm sure my purchasing department will have a field day with me on this one.

Regards

Richard

[Simon]

How about this: Free Detectable Pen. I think it might be a little more cost-effective than the silver shadow. I don't know why we don't start selling this kind of stuff...it is very difficult to find.

Simon

Edited by Simon, 20 September 2010 - 10:11 AM.
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[rheath]

Thanks again - looks a lot more realistic..

With respect to selling food grade products - I agree it makes sense

As an easier option you could look at sponsored links / banners.

It's an area that I've loked at for my business but in truth have not made effective use of it yet.

[Simon]

Did anyone request one of the free sample pens from *************** I did but they didn't send it

Simon

Edited by Simon, 20 September 2010 - 10:11 AM.
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[rheath]

I requested one & I also have not received sample..

[Simon]

Still not received it how about your Rich?

Regards,
Simon

[rheath]

Nope - Not got mine

[yorkshire]

Why not try Brian Teasdale( if he's still there ) for one piece metal detectable pens. He's from Yorkshire so you know you can trust him .

Arco are now trying to sell metal detectable pens at the moment.

We use a Bic soft feel one piece pen and have had no issues with food safety or auditors with them.

[Charles Chew]

Richard,

I just cannot believe what your auditor had suggested. We are in a higher risk (food) industry and we are just as concerned about loose items but there is probably a more practical way to control these "hazards" rather than to hunt for a ...what was it "a shattered proof pen".

Sorry mate, the only one I know is made of steel but thats a hazard by itself too. As Yorkshire mentioned, his auditor was comfortable with a BIC. I would!

Food Safety is getting more and more frightening isn't it?

CHarles Chew

[Simon]

I can understand a one piece pen but shatterproof or metal detectable seems like overkill. I mean you wouldn't want springs and tops and other pen mechanisms lying about willy nilly. If control is established and the risk is minimised by issuing operators with one piece pens then it sounds sensible to me.

I can't believe I'm discussing the minutiae of biros…I really should get out more.

Regards,
Simon

[SAM]

Our BRC auditor picked up the same thing at our last audit.

We went out and bought the one piece food safe pens, I think that was from Teasdale's, issued them on to the factory floor, only to be greeted an hour later with everyone bringing them back to me saying that they had run out of ink. These pens just don't last, so would recommend splashing out a bit on the slightly more expensive ones, they sent me a sample of a open called icestar I think it was, and this has lasted a couple of months now.

Just a warning!!

Nadine.

[rheath]

I know yorkshire men are supposed to be tight but 1 hours worth of ink is taking it to the extreme...

What do you think yorkshire?

[yorkshire]

I can't defend that
pens are usually so tough in Yorkshire that they last at least 20 years.

Try Bic.

[Detectable]

Hi Everyone

Sorry to here you have been having trouble with our pens. This could be due to the fact that you havent found the nib most suitable for your working enviroment.

Have you all tried our DETECTA Pen Detectable & retractable? If you require samples send me a PM. Sorry to those of you apparently have requested samples but not received them, dont know whats happened there.

J Teasdale

[Simon]

It's the man himself. Welcome to forums Mr Detectable.

I'll have a sample pen if it's OK.

Thanks,
Simon

[Detectable]

SIMON DID YOU RECEIVE YOUR DETECTAPEN OK?

[Ken]

SIMON  DID YOU RECEIVE YOUR DETECTAPEN OK?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Found that blue one piece pens from Staples did the trick (10 for about £2) and they work.

Metal detectable pens is going over the top - not really part of the BRC standard but if you are using clear plastic pens it does make sense to at least have pens which are easily visible and don't shatter to easily.

Never been a problem so far.

Ken

[Charles Chew]

don't shatter to easily.

OK Guys - it is fine to have metal detectable pens but I think Ken brought up an important point. What if the pen shattered and you are not able to pick out the pieces that are "non-detectable" i.e. plastic or some thing else. What then

Does it mean that with detectable pens, we can now do away with loose items control program or would preventative measures continue to be the right path.
Ken - I too think it is going a wee bit over the top.

Charles Chew

[Simon]

SIMON  DID YOU RECEIVE YOUR DETECTAPEN OK?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nope.

[Simon]

I got the pens and info, thanks Brian. :D

Cheers,
Simon

[johnwhittaker]

Still waitng for mine though

[Drew Adamson]

Try Euroffice .co.uk, 50 pens for c.£20, search for one piece pens, they are non-dismantleable (new word, me Shakespeare, you Jane) nad can be broken, but I have had no problems with BRC auditors using them.

[ahmedmourad]

Dear ALL:

 

 I think you are not in need for such these pens . as it is not suitable any way to find pieces of pen in the finished product .

as example is it suitable to find a piece of SS in the Finished product  , even it was Food grade

 

try to find the root cause preventing this , you may use one piece pens and effective pen control system such as authorized persons to use , check for damage ............

Thanks

Ahmed