Do we need to inform IFS auditing body about product recalls?

A colleague is adamant that the IFS Food standard requires that the IFS auditing company who issue our certification need to be informed within 3 days of any product recall. This is something that the BRC Standard requires. I cannot find any reference to this in the IFS standard.

Can anyone advise which clause contains this requirements or help me repudiate my colleague's assertion.

We are not in a recall situation but are rewriting our procedures

Thanks

Your colleague could be right about the notification requirement but wrong about where that requirement is stated.  If it is not in the IFS standard (I am not familiar with that standard) check the agreement between the auditing company and the company being audited.  For example, the company we certify through states in the audit contract that we agree to notify them of in the event of a recall.

 

Actually, your college is right. You can find this information at the introduction: (it's not a requirement)

 

2.2 Extraordinary information to the certification bodyby the certified company In accordance with ISO/IEC 17065, the company shall inform its certification body about any change that may affect its ability

to conform with the certification requirements (e.g. recall, alert on products,etc.). This information shall be made within 3 working days.

 

Thanks for the input.

Actually It reads like a requirement :smile: ? "shall' ?

Rgds / Charles.C

Usually "shall" = must. 

Thanks for all your replies and help.

Procedure updated - hopefully will not be needed!

Thanks for all your replies and help.

Procedure updated - hopefully will not be needed!

It was my fault. It was so a long time I'm not writing in english, so I'm having a lot of problems today!

I wanted to say, that the sentence it's not included in "Part 2: List of audit requirements", since it is included on Part 1: introduction.

My apologies again.

Yes.. this one..

 

Actually, your college is right. You can find this information at the introduction: (it's not a requirement)

 

2.2 Extraordinary information to the certification bodyby the certified company In accordance with ISO/IEC 17065, the company shall inform its certification body about any change that may affect its ability

to conform with the certification requirements (e.g. recall, alert on products,etc.). This information shall be made within 3 working days.

 

Yes, You'll have to. And also to the food safety & regulatory authorities of your country.

in India, In case of product recall we have to inform following authorities:

Our certification body

Country's Regulatory Authority (Export Inspection Agency & MPEDA)

Food Safety authority of our country (FSSAI - Food Safety Standard Authority of India)

Glad to hear that you are not having any recall situation. :)

Also, you shall verify and record the effectiveness of the withdrawal programme through the use of appropriate techniques (mock withdrawal or practice withdrawal) at least once in a year.

Hope it helps.

Thanks