Recall Notification to Certification Body and SQFI?

Hello All,


My company passed SQF Level 3 Rev.#6 level in June2012. We had recall in September 2012. We did notified CFIA and Customers, but not our Certification Body and SQFI as per new requirements from SQF Code Edition7. Does anyone of you know what should we do now? Is it too late for notification?

Thank you in advance.



SuperP

Both Code 6 and 7 state the company should

“Outline a communication plan to inform customers, consumers,authorities and other essential bodies in a timely manner appropriate to thenature of the incident”

I think the key here is in a "timely manner" in addition to "appropriate to the nature of the incident". It might depend on the nature of the issue particularly if it was a high risk food safety issue. If it was a less important issue you might have some scope regarding the timing of the report.

My initial reaction is that you should let the CB know but this is just my opinion.




George

I agree with George, it is better to inform them as on next audits the recall will be discussed in detail.

Then it will be better if they are informed. For BRC/IFS this is mandatory.

Kind regards,

Mendeljev

This is covered under Part A, Section 5 of the SQF Code:



I would say better to let them know now than later. Your certification may be at risk either way, but I would imagine it could be worse off the longer you go about not telling them.

We're in the middle of our Ed. 7 recertification audit and yesterday our auditor emphisized that if we have a Level 1 or 2 recall and din't notify both the CB and SQFI within 24 hours of the recall decision it means decertification.

Thank you all for your follow up. You are absolutely right. They have to be notified ASAP.



Regards,



SuperP

We're in the middle of our Ed. 7 recertification audit and yesterday our auditor emphisized that if we have a Level 1 or 2 recall and din't notify both the CB and SQFI within 24 hours of the recall decision it means decertification.

Hi esquef,



Could you please let me know what exactly happened in your company?



Thank you,



Super P

Dear All,

Interesting , I presume the earlier quote (#4) refers to the US Class 1,2,3 system ?
Is this unique to USA ?

In case, anyone elsewhere might be interested to know the (US) differences, maybe try this -

http://www.usrecalln...s-i-ii-iii.html

Just as another random example, here is the Singapore version -

http://www.hsa.gov.s...ct_defects.html

And SQF / UK ?

Rgds / Charles.C

Hi esquef,



Could you please let me know what exactly happened in your company?



Thank you,



Super P

Nothing, except our SQF recertification audit. At the beginning of the audit the auditor asked if we'd had any recalls or withdrawals. Since our last audit. We hadn't, but he mentioned that it was a requirement that our CB and the SQFI be notified within 24 hours of a recall/withdrawal or decertification would result. BTW I pointed out to him that our CB and SQFI contact info was in our SQF Withdrawal/Recall policy document.

Dear All,

Interesting , I presume the earlier quote (#4) refers to the US Class 1,2,3 system ?
Is this unique to USA ?

In case, anyone elsewhere might be interested to know the (US) differences, maybe try this -

http://www.usrecalln...s-i-ii-iii.html

Just as another random example, here is the Singapore version -

http://www.hsa.gov.s...ct_defects.html

And SQF / UK ?

Rgds / Charles.C

Charles,
I don't know if this is what you're referring to, but the U.S. FDA classifies recalls as Class 1, 2 and 3:

RECALL CLASSIFICATIONS These guidelines categorize all recalls into one of three classes, according to the level of hazard involved:

Class I Dangerous or defective products that predictably could cause serious health problems or death. Examples include: food found to contain botulinum toxin, food with undeclared allergens, a label mix-up on a lifesaving drug, or a defective artificial heart valve.

Class II Products that might cause a temporary health problem, or pose only a slight threat of a serious nature. Example: a drug that is under-strength but that is not used to treat life-threatening situations.

Class III Products that are unlikely to cause any adverse health reaction, but that violate FDA labeling or manufacturing laws. Examples include: a minor container defect and lack of English labeling in a retail food.

esquef

Nothing, except our SQF recertification audit. At the beginning of the audit the auditor asked if we'd had any recalls or withdrawals. Since our last audit. We hadn't, but he mentioned that it was a requirement that our CB and the SQFI be notified within 24 hours of a recall/withdrawal or decertification would result. BTW I pointed out to him that our CB and SQFI contact info was in our SQF Withdrawal/Recall policy document.

Thanks esquef!

We're in the middle of our Ed. 7 recertification audit and yesterday our auditor emphisized that if we have a Level 1 or 2 recall and din't notify both the CB and SQFI within 24 hours of the recall decision it means decertification.

 

Text of 5.3 states "event that requires public notification."  I have heard of a recall where public notification was not required, that is the material in question was shipped to a customer distribution site and was controlled at that point. None entered commerce.

 

Question is, in such a case it appears to me it would not require notification to SQFI and CB.  Thoughts?