Tiny pieces of non-brittle plastic found - what to do?
I wasn't sure which category to put this under.
At a recent end of shift sanitation, the crew retrieved 2 small (think 2 centimeters) pieces of what appear to be plastic bagging material stuck on a very small screen (soup line, no particulates). Various other screens after had nothing. Investigation found that material wasn't a match to anything used in the plant, due to color. Likely was introduced at an ingredient suppliers plant.
My question is what do you do for a situation like this? It seems unreasonable to condemn an entire run. Thoughts?
Risk assessment showing that there is minimal risk of any plastic being in the final product.
It sounds like the screen was effective in stopping anything smaller than 2 cm from entering the final product so as long as you document that you will be ok to continue with the release of product. You might also want to investigate further with your suppliers as to the source of the plastic.
qulearner nailed it.
Safety glasses is my thing. I have joked about getting people forehead protectors because their safety glasses are constantly pushed up onto their foreheads! Some of them have just managed the trick of jerking their heads back which causes their safety glasses to fall back on their nose over their eyes when they see me coming. Like I can't see that myself?!
I wasn't sure which category to put this under.
At a recent end of shift sanitation, the crew retrieved 2 small (think 2 centimeters) pieces of what appear to be plastic bagging material stuck on a very small screen (soup line, no particulates). Various other screens after had nothing. Investigation found that material wasn't a match to anything used in the plant, due to color. Likely was introduced at an ingredient suppliers plant.
My question is what do you do for a situation like this? It seems unreasonable to condemn an entire run. Thoughts?
Combine likelihood of occurrence and consequences (Economic/safety) to yr company (and you?) if further instances are found by consumers
My question is what do you do for a situation like this? It seems unreasonable to condemn an entire run. Thoughts?
A combination of those posted:
You might also want to investigate further with your suppliers as to the source of the plastic.
Also maybe sieve ingredients prior to use as part of the investigation.
Combine likelihood of occurrence and consequences (Economic/safety) to yr company (and you?) if further instances are found by consumers
I agree, I've had a similar situation where the minimum penalty for recall/withdrawal was around $80,000 regardless of the quantities involved. We investigated further by extensive finished product inspection and decided the incidence of foreign material was too high to take a risk when considering the potential penalties. In this case it appears that filtration will have removed the risk of finished product contamination.
Regards,
Tony
Combine likelihood of occurrence and consequences (Economic/safety) to yr company (and you?) if further instances are found by consumers
I would add that you sample production and examine contents, looking for plastic as a way of verification. Sample size will be related to the occurrence level and consequences piece Charles mentions above. But definitely do the sample. It will help you in court....