4 replies to this topic

[HACCPCOR]

Hi All,

 

We always request suppliers to provide us with their third part audit certifcation.

However when suppliers do not have any third party audit certifications, according to BRC Ive noticed that we can then do our own supplier audit or else provide a supplier questionnaire is this correct.

If so does anyone have any ideas as to what I would include in this questionnaire, and really is it sufficent?

 

Thanks

[bacon]

A questionnaire is one method and legitimate method for BRC. However...

 

 

If so does anyone have any ideas as to what I would include in this questionnaire, and really is it sufficient?

 

In principle, the higher the risk, the more requirements to "assure" one of a supplier's safety and quality. Risk can be based upon a number factors (food/ingredient type, history of food and the supplier recalls in the past (if any), their processing method, your further processing method, environmental factors, etc).

 

The key here is to develop a method to reduce exposure (like the retailers are trying to do) to food safety and quality events (and their life threatening and/or financial costs). 

 

For example, if one is processing vegetables, think about Taylor Farms supplying you spinach (and their recent recall history and the end R-T-E product) vs. Simplot raw potatoes that will be further processed with a kill step.  One will be a different risk than the other, one should require more to "assure" you of their safety than the other. These risks would guide the questions you would ask (the former just may be too risky for an questionnaire approval than the latter).

 

I hope this helps some.

Cheers 

 

 

[Tony-C]

Hi All,

 

We always request suppliers to provide us with their third part audit certifcation.

However when suppliers do not have any third party audit certifications, according to BRC Ive noticed that we can then do our own supplier audit or else provide a supplier questionnaire is this correct.

If so does anyone have any ideas as to what I would include in this questionnaire, and really is it sufficent?

 

Thanks

 

Hi there,

 

What is required is dependent on risk of what is supplied, the associated hazards and if there are controls in your process that remove the hazards.

 Supplier Categories for Risk Assessment.jpg   66.63KB   7 downloads

 

If you do have time then you could consider three types of questionnaire based on the BRC standard, high/medium/low risk but I'll think that you will find that certification or an audit will be required for high risk materials/services.

 

Regards,

 

Tony

[DP2006]

HACCPCOR,

 

Depending on the nature of your processes / products and other factors eg if you are operating a positive release process on incoming ingredients (whereby you are testing incoming deliveries of ingredients / raw materials .....if possible and practicable!), at the end of the day a failure in your supplier quality assurance could result in serious damage to your business eg claims due to food safety failure or even business closure.

 

On this basis, you need to demonstrate appropriate "due diligence" in your Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) process, as a minimum.

 

As highlighted in the other posts what you do will vary depending on risk and this could mean carrying out 3rd Party SQA audits. You might also find some customers eg supermarkets require that SQA audits are carried out.

 

If you don't have the resources to do this yourself, you could consider using an independent 3rd party auditor to carry out your audits at "high" risk suppliers.

 

Good luck!

DP2006

[Peter Snopko]

If you are sourcing food contact (primary) packaging items then you need to be sure that the vendor poses no risk to your products.

 

Secondary and tertiary packaging items are less of a risk but can still be an issue and need to included in your programme but at lower level of frequency and intensity.

 

If you vendor does not get a quality and food safety audit conducted by recognised agency, then do your own.

If you are having repeated quality issues with the vendor then send in your own or a 3rd party auditor.

Hope this helps