5 replies to this topic

[DN_QAMGR]

Hello, I'm have about 1 1/2 years in Food Packaging under the BRC issue 4. 

 

I'm having difficulty figuring out a proper supplier approval program for my resin supply base.

 

My situation: 

 

I purchase from Brokers, which in turn purchase from manufacturers. 

 

I've posed several questions to my Brokers about auditing their site, and have been denied from the storage (rail site) and manufacturing facility. 

 

In my situation, if the broker doesn't provide formal training or programs for food safety, but will support my raw materials with documentation from the manufacturer (i.e. letter of guarantees, COA, msds).

 

Would you think that would be acceptable for my supplier approval program for the BRC Packaging Issue 4 or 5? 

 

My only other option is not purchase from brokers which is difficult for my company. 

 

thanks,

 

DN

[Simon]

Hi DN, what is the resin used to make, what's your product and how do you make it?

Does the resin come into direct contact with food in its finished state?

 

With the information you have provided it is difficult for us to say what the risk level of the supplied resin is and therefore what your expectations should be for a quality assurance program.

 

By the way welcome to the site.

 

 

Regards,

Simon

[DN_QAMGR]

Simon,

 

Thank you for the welcome and I'm sorry for being vague.

 

I purchase virgin prime resin which is extruded into a Bag and/or tubing produced for the food industry. The inside of my bag/tubing is the food contact area they will use. 

 

The customer varies from IQF, Fresh, etc., and use my product to store bulk (dairy, oil, veg, cooked foods, etc).

 

thanks,

 

DN

[Simon]

So it is direct food contact and as such needs to be suitable for direct food contact in its chemical makeup and also be produced and delivered under hygienic conditions.  

 

You say your brokers do not have food safety management systems.  If they do not do any processing of the material and merely sell it to you for the manufacturer they don't need one as such.  I would certainly expect the manufacturers to have food safety and quality management systems of some shape.

 

As a starting point would the manufacturers be prepared to fill in a questionnaire regarding their FSQMS...if yes we can help you find some examples that you could send to them.  At least then you would start to build a picture.

 

Regards,

Simon

[DN_QAMGR]

Thank you Simon, 

 

I've tried many avenues to speak to the supply base, but the broker has replied several times that the manufacturer is unwilling to provide details. 

 

Which in turn, I end up having a mediocre questionnaire filled out by the broker.

 

I've been keeping my emails with communication from my supply base, which during my 3rd party audits have not considered it as a non-conformance.

 

I'm just wondering if others companies found other ways of finding a proper resin supply base that will document all my needs as my supplier.

 

I feel that my efforts will not last long and will be considered a non-compliance with the BRC standard.

 

thanks again Simon!

 

DN

[Simon]

You are in a difficult situation DN.  If other suppliers are possible through brokers or direct then it may be time to start looking and importantly build in the supplier quality assurance activities during contract negotiations.  I agree it could be considered a non-compliance in the BRC audit.  They would look at the risk and without any form of information from the manufacturer it is not possible to conduct an assessment of risk.

 

Sorry I cannot be of further help at this stage.

 

Regards,

Simon