Does negative reporting meet the code?

Does negative reporting meet the code?

One facility is doing negative reporting of the pre-op and glass and brittle plastics.  Stating that they only record items if they are found to be deficient.  Nothing to check off or any lists to go against.

I haven't found anything in the code to state that you can't, but I'm looking for opinions and experiences.

Thanks!

Mariah,

Not quite sure exactly what you meaqn, but if you do a glass and brittle plastic audit for example, and you find no issues, you still need to document the fact that the audit was conducted and no issues were noted. I'd personally recommend that you have an inventory checklist of all glass and brittle plastics in your storage and processing area though so the auditor is confident that all items are checked on your scheduled glass and BP audits.  

Regards,

esquef

Thank you for the response.  I don't explain this very well.

The plant this is being SQF certified currently documents its brittle glass and plastics audit with a blank diagram of the plant.  In each area there is a star, cross or circle identifying if there is over head lights, windows, clocks.  There is not a specific check off list stating 10 overhead lights in warehouse 1 for example.  They use the blank diagram and only make notations if they find something broken, cracked.

They use a similar diagram for pre-op making notation only if something is found.  No specific check list of items.

Thanks

Dear mariah,

Sounds analogous to negative release of finished product.

Usually provokes an equally negative auditor response IMEX :smile: . Absence of a specific (OK) mark can be interpreted as item was potentially unchecked.

Rgds / Charles.C

Yes, it is very similar.  But the onsite QC, states that since it doesn't explicitly state in the SQF code you can't have negative reporting.  It is okay.  I disagree as negative reporting/negative release is definitely not best practices. 

Yes, it is very similar.  But the onsite QC, states that since it doesn't explicitly state in the SQF code you can't have negative reporting.  It is okay.  I disagree as negative reporting/negative release is definitely not best practices. 

Dear Mariah,

Indeed, i slid through one (non-SQF) audit using "negative" release after a similar argument. Subsequent one NC'd it due lack of continuous improvement. :smile:

Rgds / Charles.C

Does negative reporting meet the code?

One facility is doing negative reporting of the pre-op and glass and brittle plastics.  Stating that they only record items if they are found to be deficient.  Nothing to check off or any lists to go against.

I haven't found anything in the code to state that you can't, but I'm looking for opinions and experiences.

Thanks!

Hi Mariah,

You need to have a register which should form your checklist?

The SQF Code requires:

'11.7.5 Control of Foreign Matter Contamination

11.7.5.4 The following preventative measures shall be implemented where applicable to prevent glass
contamination:
i. All glass objects or similar material in food handling/contact zones shall be listed in a glass register
including details of their location;
iii. Conduct regular inspections of food handling/contact zones to ensure they are free of glass or other
like material and to establish no changes to the condition of the objects listed in the glass register;
and
iv. Inspect glass instrument dial covers on processing equipment and MIG thermometers at the start and
finish of each shift to confirm they have not been damaged.'

If you do not record that an item is intact then you have no evidence it was intact at the time of the check.

Regards,

Tony