Can anyone advise on a procedure for undertaking a "Recall Simulation" as distinct from a Traceability Exercise?
Hi Brenkk,
Interesting.. what is the difference? When I looked at what I do with my systems, the differences that I see are;
A traceability exercise is my internal audit check to ensure ingredient batch/lot codes are being recorded, from receival to dispatching the finished product. This is more of a policeman role for compliance reasons and is part of my
haccp plan. The outcome of this is recorded in my internal audit document and corrective actions are issued to the role responsible for non compliance rather than the person. This makes it a system problem that can be addressed by training and job description changes, coaching and the like.
(If you don't issue a non conformance/ corrective action technically your standards auditor can issue a CAR to you for knowing about, but not doing anything about the non conformance)
Recall simulation or mock recall is the compliance audit of "using the traceability process", that is recorded in a report. By starting with a product defect statement on an ingredient that requires a recall, you then copy the production records showing the path of this ingredient, capturing all products containing it, through the process and include the dispatch records identifying customers. At this point I also phone the customer contact in my records and check that the details are still correct, then record the time it took to contact this person. This includes the ingredient supplier too.
Copies of forms are attached to the report (controlled document) and filed as evidence for my next standards compliance audit.
This Recall simulation process is 6 monthly and is recorded in my Quality system as a single page flowchart procedure.
I hope this helps and as a PS, my focus is always on the result not the complexity of the system.. keep it simple..
