HACCP Approval
Question regarding revision control of the written HACCP program:
I have a signature page with all members of the HACCP team serving as approval of the program.
The question was raised about revision number on all of the individual documents or a single revision declaration on any particular page or if a revision number is required at all?
I have never taken any notice of a revision number on any written HACCP program I have reviewed.
ganderson64,
A Reassessment/Revision Log is what is usually found in HACCP Plans. For USDA inspected plants, they are required to reassess their HACCP Plan at least annually, and the Reassessment Log is the easiest way to document it, and for the inspector to find it and review it. I keep my Reassessment Log right behind the Signature page, at the front of the plan. I think most other regulatory agencies accept this format, even though they may not look at it as intensely as the USDA. It may see to contradict SQF, BRC, etc., however, I have a Reassessment Log in my HACCP Plan, and the auditor didn't say anything about it. It may seem weird to do a reassessment every time you make a change to the plan, but I have 4 different HACCP Plans, so depending on the change, it could affect more than just the plan I'm currently working on, so reviewing everything gives me insurance.
I have attached an example of my HACCP Plan Reassessment Log. I document the date of the reassessment, what was reassessed, who did the reassessment, and their signature.
I hope this helps. PM me if you have more questions or need more information.
Attached Files
As a note also, how would an auditor know what changes have been made and why if you have not noted revision numbers? ANY changes to my HACCP plan, including small items that are removed from a record, or added--for example you changed sanitizing agents and the concentration for the titration needed to be changed.....it would look odd to an auditor that all of the sudden the record changed and there is no record of why in the change log.
I run a CHANGE LOG, which for me is vital as we have just started production in October and there have been many many changes.
Dear ganderson,
IMEX, you have a possibly unique FS System. :smile:
Out of curiosity, is yr process certified to any recognized FS standard.?
Rgds / Charles.C
Charles,
No - definitely not unique. Getting set for initial SQF certification audit. I looked at my past HACCP plans and noticed there was no revision number associated with the written plan. Not to say the food safety program documents did not have revision numbers, just the HACCP docs.
Dear ganderson64 -
The thread appears to be addressing 2 separate issues: document revision control & tracking changes (reassessment and change logs). With regards to revision tracking, you need some methodology to indicate which version of the HACCP plan you are presenting. Typically, this is some sort of revision identification - be it a date, number, code, or some other ID. This ID has to then be reflected in the change/revision tracking log to link the two.
Personally, I prefer to use a revision number that is printed on each page. Dates can be problematic on the off chance you have to revise the document 2x in one day. Putting the revision on each page prevents accidentally mixing the previous and current revisions when switching them out in a binder, showing someone the actiual differences in the 2 docs, or dropping them on the floor at the same - been there done that mistake...
Keith