Mock Recall to be Preformed During SQF Audit
Good morning all,
We are a packaging manufacturer preparing for our second SQF level two audit. We have heard that we will have to perform a mock recall during our audit this year. We were not required to do this during our first audit.
My questions are:
Is this in the code? I cannot find anything in the code that suggest a mock recall should be performed during the SQF audit.
Is this something that is up to the auditor?
Any guidance would be appreciated.
Hi..We are level 3/7.2 and were asked to do Traceability (foreward and backward) exercise during the audit similar to a mock recall and I think it is mandatory for the audit.
Hi..We are level 3/7.2 and were asked to do Traceability (foreward and backward) exercise during the audit similar to a mock recall and I think it is mandatory for the audit.
Dear kellync,
(sqf Guidance 7.2)(2.6.3 auditing guidance)
The recall and withdrawal procedure shall be reviewed initially at the desk audit and compliance to this requirement by observation, interviews with recall committee, and review of actual/mock recall records at each facility audit. The SQF auditor shall review the annual test of the recall and withdrawal system, and corrective actions taken as a result of the test.
Evidence may include:
• A recall committee is established and all members understand their roles and responsibility;
• The methods and responsibilities for notifying customers, SQFI, the certification body, regulators
and other essential bodies are identified;
• The recall/withdrawal system has been tested annually;
• The recall/withdrawal system meets regulatory and customer requirements;
• Communication has been tested during an actual or test recall;
• Investigations into the cause of actual recalls/withdrawals have been conducted;
• Corrective actions have been taken on identified deficiencies in the recall/withdrawal (refer 2.5.5).
As per above, traceability / mock recall can IMO only be described as “dissimilar”, theoretically and practically. i expect the situation for SQF mock recall has already been discussed here (somewhere), probably with forms included from memory. The usual parameters are completeness / time taken.
Or, as noted, maybe it is auditor's choice. :smile:
Rgds / Charles.C
I just got back from a SQF training class from Silliker and the trainer, a former auditor, said that performing a mock recall during the yearly audit is becoming a common practice and may become a mandatory part of the code in a future edition (possibly as soon as 7.3 next year). As of now it is only up to the auditor but if they want it they can ask you to test your system.
I just got back from a SQF training class from Silliker and the trainer, a former auditor, said that performing a mock recall during the yearly audit is becoming a common practice and may become a mandatory part of the code in a future edition (possibly as soon as 7.3 next year). As of now it is only up to the auditor but if they want it they can ask you to test your system.
Dear Caboose,
SQF Auditor's are paid by the hour, right ? Win-Win. Pain and Gain.
Should cheer BRC up a bit though.
Charles.C
Dear Caboose,
SQF Auditor's are paid by the hour, right ? Win-Win. Pain and Gain.
Should cheer BRC up a bit though.
Charles.C
Too True!
Good morning all,
We are a packaging manufacturer preparing for our second SQF level two audit. We have heard that we will have to perform a mock recall during our audit this year. We were not required to do this during our first audit.
My questions are:
Is this in the code? I cannot find anything in the code that suggest a mock recall should be performed during the SQF audit.
Is this something that is up to the auditor?
Any guidance would be appreciated.
To add to the other useful posts, there certainly should be a traceability exercise during the audit if not a full mock recall:
SQF Guidance 2.6 Product Identification, Trace, Withdrawal and Recall
'The facility should expect that the auditor will select product at various stages during the process and ask for the origin of product, raw material supplier, etc. to test the identification system.'
'The supplier must also be aware of the recall targets set by retail customers. Some may require 100% identification and quarantine of affected product within hours or recall notification. Regulatory recall requirements must also be considered.'
Regards,
Tony
Regards,
Tony
Hi Tony,
More useful stuff.
It's maybe worth reiterating that as previously demonstrated on this forum and stated in the SQF Code (i assume it's still there anyway), SQF is in not obliged to literally follow statements in the Guidance (I forget the exact wording).
So, in a sense, the usage of words like "should", "must" is irrelevant from an audit POV albeit maybe useful. Not a unique FS observation of course.
To put it another way, SQF's "Guidance" seems to be unlike most other "Guidances" i have encountered.
But I guess on average it's still better than nothing , seeing as it's free. :smile:
Rgds / Charles
Thanks for everyone's help. Based on the comments, we prepared as though we would have to complete a mock recall during the audit. We had our audit last week and indeed had to do a mock recall. The mock recall went off without a hitch. The auditor was impressed that we were able to complete the mock recall in the time frame in which we did. All this practice also helps us in the event we have to perform a recall. We should be able to get needed information quickly and hopefully avoid minimize any risk.
Thanks again to everyone who commented.