8 replies to this topic

[Archanakolasani]

Hi,

 

Can any one please help me understand in SQF 2000 -  4.3.2.1 Specifications for raw materials and ingredients that impact on finished product safety and quality shall be documented and kept current. 

4.3.6.1 Finished product specifications shall be documented, current, approved by the supplier and their customer, accessible to relevant staff 

Does current means that the spec can be one year old only or the current years?

 

Does anywhere in SQF says that it can be one year old or 2 years old?

 

Thank you,

Archana

[Charles.C]

Hi,

 

Can any one please help me understand in SQF 2000 -  4.3.2.1 Specifications for raw materials and ingredients that impact on finished product safety and quality shall be documented and kept current. 

4.3.6.1 Finished product specifications shall be documented, current, approved by the supplier and their customer, accessible to relevant staff 

Does current means that the spec can be one year old only or the current years?

 

Does anywhere in SQF says that it can be one year old or 2 years old?

 

Thank you,

Archana

A generic answer is that "kept current"  usually means maintained "up-to-date", eg  the content in a document presented as a specification, for example a microbiological limit,  matches that being implemented at the present, ie current, time. This should correspond to the latest revision/version of a given  document (unless otherwise stated).

 

I suppose it is possible that SQF might have some requirement that all specifications must be mandatorily reviewed/revised where necessary/reissued if more than "X"  months old.

 

No doubt the answer will soon arrive if it's another SQF peculiarity.

 

Rgds / Charles.C

[AANNFF]

We have product specs that are more than a year old.  I review them annually and confirm with the supplier to make sure that the one I have on file is the latest one.  When I find out that it is the most current spec, then I write on the product spec that I verified the information or attach the verification email to the product spec.  Our auditor seemed fine with that and we just passed our certification.

[George @ Safefood 360°]

As per Charles C, the term 'kept current' means that the specification on hand reflects the actual materials, ingredients and products being sourced or produced at the given moment in time. In other words the specifications should not be obsolete compared to the actual specification. In this case it is reasonable for the company to set a minimum review frequency for all specialisations where no changes have occurred and a clear procedure for conducting reviews based on specific triggering events. 

 

I have attached a brief sample procedure for specifications which will explain more clearly.

 

George

Attached Files

•  Specifications.pdf   249.24KB   139 downloads

[Charles.C]

As per Charles C, the term 'kept current' means that the specification on hand reflects the actual materials, ingredients and products being sourced or produced at the given moment in time. In other words the specifications should not be obsolete compared to the actual specification. In this case it is reasonable for the company to set a minimum review frequency for all specialisations where no changes have occurred and a clear procedure for conducting reviews based on specific triggering events. 

 

I have attached a brief sample procedure for specifications which will explain more clearly.

 

George

Hi George,

 

Nicely concise, but very informative, document.

 

I note you managed to avoid a direct reference to "risk based" review. Very commendable (in a good way).

 

I also noted the absence of microbiological /allergenic factors in the specs for packaging.  From memory, some threads here might differ.

 

Rgds / Charles

Edited by Charles.C, 25 December 2013 - 08:35 AM.
clarification

[George @ Safefood 360°]

Hi Charles,

 

It is a slightly aged sample. Risk based assessment might be appropriate for some companies and I would advise anyone using it to review the scope of each specification. 

 

G

[Tony-C]

Hi,

 

Can any one please help me understand in SQF 2000 -  4.3.2.1 Specifications for raw materials and ingredients that impact on finished product safety and quality shall be documented and kept current. 

4.3.6.1 Finished product specifications shall be documented, current, approved by the supplier and their customer, accessible to relevant staff 

Does current means that the spec can be one year old only or the current years?

 

Does anywhere in SQF says that it can be one year old or 2 years old?

 

Thank you,

Archana

 

Hi there,

 

You are quoting the old copy of the SQF standard - SQF 2000. The relevant clauses in the latest SQF standard - the SQF Code are:

2.3.2 Raw and Packaging Materials
2.3.5 Finished Product

 

There is some guidance provided by SQF:
'2.3.2 Raw and Packaging Materials
A register of all raw material and packaging specifications (including finished product labels) must be kept, including a version number and date so that there is proof that specifications are updated as needed.
For high risk materials, testing and analysis is required for validation, and must be carried out annually
2.3.5 Finished Product
The supplier needs to ensure that the annual review of the SQF System (refer 2.1.4.2) includes a review of the finished product specifications and that the list of specifications is maintained and kept current in a register (list).'

 

Regards,

 

Tony

 

[Charles.C]

Hi Tony,

 

Well spotted.

 

Nonetheless it is perhaps worth restating that earlier discussions here have demonstrated that the "Guidance" possesses no absolute power as to SQF's actual requirements (assuming that the get-out, small print, still exists). For example, if the Guidance is logically interpreted, eg checks implemented after say 9 months, but the SQF auditor states that he expects to observe a validation that all the individual specifications are still current within 6 month time periods, you are simply out of luck. The converse is less likely of course.

IMO the Guidance is useful but may bite you.  Welcome to the World of SQF.

 

Rgds / Charles.C

[Tony-C]

IMO the Guidance is useful but may bite you.  Welcome to the World of SQF.

 

Rgds / Charles.C

 

It is just as likely to bite the auditor if they aren't familiar enough with it  

Regards,

 

Tony