Are distributors required to be audited?
Looking at my complaint log I have found about half involve issues with product that is being stored in a distributor's warehouse. That being said, before I go asking for the last audit information, is there any requirement that they have audits by a third party as there is for all vendors?
This is a good question. In fact, I had gotten a nonconformance for tertiary packaging material because I don't have a third party audit from them and I haven't audited them. I understand the auditors point but he doesn't see mine when I deal with close to 100 different packaging with 10 distributors and I see tertiary as low risk, and as you will see on this forum it gets very subjective on where or who should the information come from the DC's or the actual manufacturer i.e. audits, specs, CoC's, LoG's. I would say your best bet is to go to the DC where everything is consolidated "line your ducks up in a row". If things are ok there move on to the manufacturers. 2.4.5.5 for SQF. I'm not sure about AIB.
Whether it is a requirement or not, with this many issues, it needs to be addressed. Whether by a third party audit or an audit by you, and I would be inclined to say an audit by you may be warranted as there are so many problems. You need to demonstrate you have caught the issue, addressed the issue and resolved it.
We ask for a third party audit from our cold storage facilities. This just ensures that our product is kept to the standards we made it by,
We use AIB for the GMP audit as a distributor. This confirms everything from receiving to the shipment of the product to the customer, including cleaning plans, temperature monitoring, documentation, prerequisite programs and more. It is an advantage to have our facilities audited, it makes sure we are staying ahead of the curve.
Some of our customers have an outside auditor visit and check our facilities also, this could be an option for you.
:welcome: nd01ken
I would agree that a DC does not have to be as extensive as a GFSI audit is. I would focus more on Pest Control, GMP's, training of GMP's, Building Conditions, and maybe even a Disaster Recovery Program.
Looking at my complaint log I have found about half involve issues with product that is being stored in a distributor's warehouse.
No offense guys when 1/2 the problems are out of one warehouse.....its time to go take a look.....and not rely on an audit that may have happened before the problems or didn't catch them.
Yes, either you or a 3rd party has to do an audit and document the results, the requested corrective actions, and proof that the corrections are working.
Looking at my complaint log I have found about half involve issues with product that is being stored in a distributor's warehouse. That being said, before I go asking for the last audit information, is there any requirement that they have audits by a third party as there is for all vendors?
Hi Taste Maker,
Normally requirements are based on risk.
Generally I would want to have them audited distributors by someone within your company or require the distributor to have certification to a recognized standard such as BRC Global Standard for Storage and Distribution Issue 2 or SQF Code Food Sector Category 26 Food Wholesaling and Distribution.
Either way as Snookie has said I would be wanting to 'pay them a visit' given they are a source of 50% of your problems.
Regards,
Tony
Any supplier of a service or product has to be approved and meet the requirements of you food safety system.
What sort of complaints, what severity? environmental damage? forklift damage?
what the total amount of complaints that you have? if you have 2 complaints and they caused one, maybe not an issue or did they cause 250 out of 500?
They supply a service, does your supplier approval program require them to be audited?
Since they cause 50% of your complaints there should have been a corrective action on this already requiring them to get their game together or drop them depending on the type of complaints they cause.
this is an interesting topic.