7 replies to this topic

[BrittAnn66]

Our grain elevator processes soybeans (raw product) packages it into to bags/bulk and is shipped around the world for further processing.

 

Currently our only CCP in our process flow is the metal detector which is the last point the beans cross before being bagged or loaded bulk into a container.

 

They are looking at doing some renovations to our plant and this would involve moving the metal detector causing it to no longer be the last point the beans cross before being bagged.

 

What does this mean as a CCP? Is this okay as long as there is no chance of metal getting into the product after the metal detector? What if the product passes through metal pieces of equipment?

[PSC]

Is this just for your own internal safety, or are you trying to meet a standard? 

 

It shouldn't be a problem to have your metal detector not be at the end of your process. We have a metal detector CCP that is not at the end of our process and our BRC7 auditor had no issue with that. You'll just need to show through a risk assessment why it's okay for you to place your metal detector at that stage of your process. 

[QAGB]

Our grain elevator processes soybeans (raw product) packages it into to bags/bulk and is shipped around the world for further processing.

 

Currently our only CCP in our process flow is the metal detector which is the last point the beans cross before being bagged or loaded bulk into a container.

 

They are looking at doing some renovations to our plant and this would involve moving the metal detector causing it to no longer be the last point the beans cross before being bagged.

 

What does this mean as a CCP? Is this okay as long as there is no chance of metal getting into the product after the metal detector? What if the product passes through metal pieces of equipment?

 

 

Is this just for your own internal safety, or are you trying to meet a standard? 

 

It shouldn't be a problem to have your metal detector not be at the end of your process. We have a metal detector CCP that is not at the end of our process and our BRC7 auditor had no issue with that. You'll just need to show through a risk assessment why it's okay for you to place your metal detector at that stage of your process.

 

 

Hi BrittAnn66,

 

Usually CCPs are the end points of the process (not always the last step in the process), where the particular hazard can be reduced or eliminated to an acceptable. As PSC said, you need to risk assess your process to ensure you can reduce the metal hazard to acceptable levels at the metal detector. It looks like by your own statement that there is no real chance metal could get into the product after the point where the metal detector is placed. In that sense, you should be fine (with justification).

 

 

QAGB

[Charles.C]

Our grain elevator processes soybeans (raw product) packages it into to bags/bulk and is shipped around the world for further processing.

 

Currently our only CCP in our process flow is the metal detector which is the last point the beans cross before being bagged or loaded bulk into a container.

 

They are looking at doing some renovations to our plant and this would involve moving the metal detector causing it to no longer be the last point the beans cross before being bagged.

 

What does this mean as a CCP? Is this okay as long as there is no chance of metal getting into the product after the metal detector? What if the product passes through metal pieces of equipment?

 

Hi BrittAnn,

 

Merely as a corollary to the previous, it all depends on where it's being moved to. IMEX people do strange things for convenience.

[Tony-C]

Hi BrittAnn

The expectation would be that industry best practice is applied with regard to the location and that the equipment should be placed as close to the end of the production process as is practical, so that the whole process (including packing lines) is protected.

 

You will need to assess the risk regarding the equipment and process after the metal detector and you may need to introduce new checks to monitor these risks such as nuts/bolts that could fall into the product.

 

CCP's  are usually the last step in which as hazard is controlled/eliminated so they are not necessarily end points of the process.

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

[w.weber]

Hello,

please have in mind, that there may be still a risk of having metal in later stages. If e.g. you are using conveyors like chain trough conveyor thre may be shavings from the conveyor contaminating your product. i know a case of a food manufacturer, who had an official recall, as shavings from a screw conveyor moved into the product.  So you should check all of your equipment (conveyor, stirrer, gate valves...) within the risk analysis.

 

Yours

Werner

[Meat Hook]

Something to keep in mind. If you metal detect on large bags, the aperture size isn't going to allow you to detect the sizes of metal you are detecting now(assuming you are using either a low profile aperture or a cylinder style).

[redfox]

Hello BrittAnn,

 

Even if your metal detecting is not at the end of the process, as long as the product is already enclosed in packaging nothing to worry about. In our plant our metal detecting step is before closing the product but we've been able to demonstrate to auditor that we have metal control procedure and measures that is functional.

 

Regards,

redfox