We are having our first BRC audit next month. One topic that is up for debate internally is the interpretation of BRC clause 7.4.2 where it says "Protective clothing shall be available that is of suitable design to prevent contamination of the product (as a minimum containing no external pockets above the waist or sewn-on buttons)."
Is this saying that pants cannot have sewn-on buttons or is it just talking about buttons above the waist? We are a low risk facility and currently, everyone wears Kauki pants with one sewn-on button in the front. We have looked into finding pants with other forms of buttons or snaps/eye and hooks such as jeans but we cannot get them in everyone's size. It just doesn't seem to be a viable option. Do we have any reason to be concerned that this could be any issue? What do other food companies do?