7 replies to this topic

[terris]

Hello All,

    I am updating our food safety system and have found we state we will maintain records for 2 or 3 years (depending on which SOP you are reading!). I want to be consistent. I am in a low risk facility in NY and am not aware of any regulatory requirement, so can we just choose how long? My understanding is "it's our program" ...so we can choose a reasonable amount of time? In another area we have written that any paperwork involved in any legal matter will be maintained as needed. Thoughts?

Thank You!

[mgourley]

The Food Safety Modernization Act requires 2 years for record retention.

In the case of paperwork involved in legal matters, I'd retain that forever. (Hopefully there is not too much of that kind of paperwork) 

 

Marshall

[Turkey]

We operate under USDA guidelines and this is what FSIS says:

 

No. HACCP plans are not required to be maintained permanently by the establishment. However, in accordance with 9 CFR 417.5(e), the old plan should be maintained on file for as long as the records for product produced under that plan are retained. In the case of slaughter activities and refrigerated products, records must be retained for one year. For frozen and shelf stable product, the retention period is two years.

[terris]

Thank you both so much-answers were very helpful! I am thankful I found this forum. And Marshall...thankfully no-we do not have much legal matter paperwork! Hoping to keep it that way!

[gfdoucette07]

In current and past companies it has been "shelf life of product" plus 1 yr for all production documents. Be that as is may our small drying plant has productions records in our warehouse for 30+ yrs of production!!

[BrummyJim]

BRC requires Shelf Life + 1 year. Standard practice from my experience is 3 years. You might even want to link into you financial records and store for whatever they require (7 years?)

[Ray Arcillas]

HI Terris,

 

Since you said that you operate a low-risk facility in NY, i presume that your activities are under the scope of US FDA.

 

Please look at Sub-section D Section 120.12 Records of 21CFR120

 

http://www.accessdat...rt=120&showfr=1

 

You can print it for reference.

 

I hope that this will help.

 

Cheers,

Ray

[terris]

Thank you ray-love to see it in writing