Alcohol as a raw material

Hi,

We purchase bottled branded alcohol as a raw material.

I'm wondering on peoples thoughts on the following

1. Most branded bottled alcohol is not from GFSI or BRC accredited factories. Due to the fact its owned by HUGE companies and bottled around the world, trying to get them to fill in a Supplier questionnaire or provide a Specification is extremely difficult, especially as it goes through multiple wholesalers.

How to get around this for supplier approval?

2. With a lack of information 3.5.1.1. is again difficult-, how can I risk assess the ingredient against allergen contamination, foreign body risks etc 

3. Testing...should I be testing the branded alcohol? Is relying on the product being sealed enough? Would writing down the batch code for each incoming alcohol be ok?

Thanks

!

Hi gh,

Unfortunately it's a classic problem. It also directly relates to the safety of yr finished product.

Some possibilities regarding exceptions are discussed in 3.5.1.4.

The degree of an audit flexibility may relate to the specific item/finished product/process/overall implemented Supplier Approval Program.

IMEX a FS "meaningful" Ingredient Specification (ideally MSDS) is an absolute necessity. Plus appropriate FS analytical evidence to support it (nominally covering safety, quality, legality).

+ Maybe other items depending on XYZ.

Interested to hear from other posters.

Hi gh,

I often find that my larger suppliers/manufacturers have a standard response to questionnaires which generally provides the information you require. Your supplier SHOULD be able to get this for you. If not, contact the manufacturer. Someone down the supply chain will have done the due diligence!

Also depends on volume of alcohol being used - there are companies which bulk pack alcohol (including branded) which are certified to the BRC standard.

Using such companies would facilitate in risk assessing materials accordingly.