3 replies to this topic

[CMcMahon]

Hi there

Just wondering how often the information that is declared on pack for specific ingredients (QUID) should be verified? if I have a 25g pack of product do I confirm results for the individual pack or for a bigger sample size? Is it once per production run? Would appreciate the feedback. We have a manual mixing process

 

[Ehab Nassar]

Hi CMcMahon ,

 

Generally sampling plan depends on the natural of the product from the homogeneity prospective , mixing process ,batch size , time of mixing and mixing process .

For example mixing powders together or liquids together will give you a homogeneous final product if a prompt mixing is done so accordingly one sample is enough.

 

if you are not sure  about the homogeneity of your product  you can start with a big sample number then decrease it by time until you find the best representative sample size for your process .

However providing more data from you about the process and nature of the product will help to get a specific answer .

 

Best regards,

Ehab

[CMcMahon]

Hi Ehab

 

thanks for the response. The product is a mixed fruit & seed mix retail pack so Quid would be on the Seed and fruits contained in the mix. As we have a manual mixing process we could be asked "how do you ensure that each pack will get the same amount as declared on pack?" we would need to have some routing monitoring done of the % weight of seed and fruit as objective evidence that we are aligning with our label. What is the general frequency for these routine process control checks is what I would like advice on eg every production run? 3 times per production run etc?

Carol

[Ehab Nassar]

Hi Carol ,

 

it is the most difficult one .

Are you sure it is mandatory .

Any manual process may be controlled by a GMP , frequency of line checks is only to ensure that team is still focusing , it does not grantee consistency or that all the products are the same   .

OK let us think about it .

 

1- Gross weight consistency : you can use a check  weightier with a print out ,this will be a good verification for gross weight.

2- Number of amount as declared on pack:   no grantee but we can say within accepted tolerance , but

 

A. Use a composite sample , take samples of your finished product from the same shift  and calculate the average , if it is matching OK release it ( in my country sample size is 32 pack ), I'd like to review your local legislation .

B. It is more cost ( may  be stupid , but with a good results ) make it on two steps : 1st prepare a pre-mix step then 2nd a filling step in the second step a verification that  1st step is OK , here it seems that each pack is samples and verified  .

Or make it like the Mixing/filling team does not seal the pack , someone is a backup to count /assure then seal it for sale .

 

Finally it is about be in tolerances as below

https://www.fsai.ie/faqs/quid.html    

 

How should the calculated QUID value be declared on the label?
The QUID declaration is an average quantity, obtained by complying with the recipe and good manufacturing practice, allowing for the producer’s normal manufacturing variations. The stated quantity should be rounded to the nearest whole number, or to the nearest 0.5 decimal place where the quantity declared in below 5%

 

hope this helps , good luck ,

Ehab