Just this New Years Eve (albeit to rotent pest control and Trend Analysis) I posed this observation to Senior Management:
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There is some concern over the dock doors and pest ingress, please follow my rationale in my experience:
I worked in 100 year old canneries on docks have plenty of wholes the much bigger than a pencil, yet we had never caught a mouse or rat. As we did not have a contract pest control service, I and my QA techs were required to be trained in Pest Control. Our “trend analysis” satisfied not only our 3rd Party Audits but FDA, State health inspectors, USDC, US Army and many clients.
Therefore, far as SQF goes, our system of validation with our contracted Pest Control provider’s findings (no rodents have been captured this year at this location) would warrant that, as the nature of rats/rodents behavior provide, pests do not ingress through this fashion. (i.e. – we do not spend money on a or double entry way/vestibule to deter mice from scurrying past the employees feet when they enter the building as we have no evidence of such rodent behavior in this location).
If this is for SQF concerns, I will reason this point (I am also Integrated Pest Management certified and by my former employer). I’ll reason this point to USDA/FDA or any other auditor if it is necessary, this is why our contracted Pest Control provider does trend analyses and why we pay for their services.
The SQF auditor should agree with this reasoning (this is why “pest control trend analyses” is required in GFSI benchmarked standards); it makes sense.
We getting a quote anyway to see the cost and also have a “back-up” reply/proof. We could also speak with our Pest Control provider and have them re-assess the dock doors to see their opinion.
If I have overlooked or unaware of anything, please let me know.
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From the BRC audits I have dealt with, the auditor is looking at the pest trend analysis for "infestation". One could certainly point to customer complaints, but better (in a HACCP sense) to eliminate the possibility though historical (or anecdotal observations if historical records are not available) to define "infestation" by putting some limits on it that will warrant action (and be prepared to act if these limits are reached).
Limits on insect light traps? Go look as historical records or personal observations to get it started. Dont trap your self with tight limits, but it also has to make sense, they can also be changed upon new discoveries. It is all about having a "system" in place.
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
-B
(PS - I have not yet verified if “pest trend analyses” is required in ALL GFSI benchmarked standards, but this is my experience with BRC, SQF and IFS so far)