7 replies to this topic

[Ag52014]

Hi. I am looking to update our black bin bag audits and wondered of anyone had a simple template they use?

I am also looking for a bit of advice

Do you think it is a quality personnel responsibility to complete these?
I am trying to implement a system where by production takes a bit of responsibility.

Currently we are getting production to do these audits and every week technical are left with a bag to sort through and most of the time the items are more of a poor gmp (I.e lids off chemicals, hairnets etc)
I feel that instead of these being in an fb audit they should be just cleaning up better and putting them in the bin.
If there is eg a screw found , production are more likely to know where it is from more than what I would , and they could raise the issue with engineering rather than me doing all the work. My thoughts are quality is everyone's responsibility and shouldn't just be down to the technical department.

What are your thoughts on this. Do you have a template for your audits?
Thank you

[fcchoi]

Hi,

Be more specific of your request.

[xylough]

Hi,

 

Foreign body I understand, but i'd sure like to wrap my mind around "black bin bag". Here are a few thoughts on the subject. Related search terms used in the USA that might help you in research: Foreign Matter program, Extraneous Matter program, Metal detection program, Glass and Brittle Plastic program, Extraneous Matter discovery form.

 

On the question of who should perform this duty; GFSI schemes tend to require that the individuals responsible for a program's day-to-day execution NOT be the same individuals to perform an internal audit of the same program. This requirement applies to the specific GFSI benchmarked scheme 'Internal Audit". For other internal audits like GMP audits, food defense audits, personnel safety audits and mini food safety audits of some particular aspect of your food safety and quality systems; consider mixing it up, i.e., empower, train and facilitate people from different departments to participate.

 

Some of the discoveries you mention, like lidsoff chemicals and hair nets, strike me as the subject of internal GMP audits. There is no point to an internal GMP audit unless it's documented with dates, times, individuals who performed, details of the findings, root cause analysis, timely corrective and preventative actions, who resolved the issue, etc.

 

The discovery of a screw is an alarming discovery indeed. A metal object 6mm or greater is considered a choking hazard here in the USA and is often a CCP in a HACCP plan. Depending on where you found the screw and under what circumstances would temper the actions you might consider. I would say if you found the screw in a circumstance where it constitutes a potential for contamination in a zone of exposed food or food contact packaging, then it is a serious finding.

There ought to be an SOP of exactly the steps your facility will take upon the discovery of metal. There ought to be a written PRP and corresponding metal discovery forms to address your facility's policyand procedures for this. You mention that "production would know better where it came from", but what is really indicated is that there needs to be a formal process of analysis to ascertain the cause so that preventative controls can be put in place. 

 

Regards,

 

Xylough

[Madam A. D-tor]

I am also confused by the term black bin bag audits

 

Are you auditing your garbage bags?

[dormant account]

Hi,

 

Foreign body I understand, but i'd sure like to wrap my mind around "black bin bag". Here are a few thoughts on the subject. Related search terms used in the USA that might help you in research: Foreign Matter program, Extraneous Matter program, Metal detection program, Glass and Brittle Plastic program, Extraneous Matter discovery form.

 

On the question of who should perform this duty; GFSI schemes tend to require that the individuals responsible for a program's day-to-day execution NOT be the same individuals to perform an internal audit of the same program. This requirement applies to the specific GFSI benchmarked scheme 'Internal Audit". For other internal audits like GMP audits, food defense audits, personnel safety audits and mini food safety audits of some particular aspect of your food safety and quality systems; consider mixing it up, i.e., empower, train and facilitate people from different departments to participate.

 

Some of the discoveries you mention, like lidsoff chemicals and hair nets, strike me as the subject of internal GMP audits. There is no point to an internal GMP audit unless it's documented with dates, times, individuals who performed, details of the findings, root cause analysis, timely corrective and preventative actions, who resolved the issue, etc.

 

The discovery of a screw is an alarming discovery indeed. A metal object 6mm or greater is considered a choking hazard here in the USA and is often a CCP in a HACCP plan. Depending on where you found the screw and under what circumstances would temper the actions you might consider. I would say if you found the screw in a circumstance where it constitutes a potential for contamination in a zone of exposed food or food contact packaging, then it is a serious finding.

There ought to be an SOP of exactly the steps your facility will take upon the discovery of metal. There ought to be a written PRP and corresponding metal discovery forms to address your facility's policyand procedures for this. You mention that "production would know better where it came from", but what is really indicated is that there needs to be a formal process of analysis to ascertain the cause so that preventative controls can be put in place. 

 

Regards,

 

Xylough

 

I am also confused by the term black bin bag audits

 

Are you auditing your garbage bags?

Black Bag audit. During Inspection all foreign objects are picked up and put into a black bin bag. The contents are then shown to the people responsible for the area. Has never worked when I have tried it.

[Madam A. D-tor]

Black Bag audit. During Inspection all foreign objects are picked up and put into a black bin bag. The contents are then shown to the people responsible for the area. Has never worked when I have tried it.

 

So actually, QC is cleaning the mess in production.

If you find hairnets and lids and other mess on the production floor, it is time for some thoroughly and strict measures.

I would do a tour on each department with the responsible person of that department. I would point the items that are not correct and let him/her take it of the floor and put it in the bag, while I am counting. I would do that on each processing department/area. On the end I would hang the score for each department visual in the canteen. Name and shame! Or call it bench mark between departments

I would repeat this on a high frequency, say weekly, in the beginning.

You will see that in a couple of weeks, you will find less items.

 

The cleanliness in production and foreign body control on this level is in my opinion an GMP that the production has to be responsible for,

[Berenika Goncerz]

I have a question on the timing on black bag audit. 

I do it randomly. 

 

Recently I have been informed that i should conduct BB audits after the cleaning (breaks) as we do not have a cleaner the whole day so people wont pick up rubbish from the floor and there is no point of doing the audit. 

 

What are your thoughts? 

 

Thanks 

[Charles.C]

I have a question on the timing on black bag audit. 

I do it randomly. 

 

Recently I have been informed that i should conduct BB audits after the cleaning (breaks) as we do not have a cleaner the whole day so people wont pick up rubbish from the floor and there is no point of doing the audit. 

 

What are your thoughts? 

 

Thanks 

 

Both.