Is metal detection necessary for SQF Certification?
Good Afternoon,
We are working with a consultant to prepare for our first SQF audit - level 2. I am the SQF Practitioner, Also I am FSMA certified.
My question is this... We are being told that metal detection is mandatory for SQF but the same company (as our consultant) certified us for FSMA and said that we could use pre-requisite forms and machine inspections for verification that there is not any metal in our products ie: no broken machinery parts. We have a supplier approval program and the suppliers are testing for metals in the products.
The only thing we have had complaints from customers is 1 pecan shell, 1 cherry pit, and a small piece of a flour bag. We have 1 metal detector and it has not found anything in the products since we installed 6 months ago. The bosses above are wondering if we really need to have metal detectors.
I guess I am just looking to see what others opinions are before my consultant comes back next time.
Thank you!
I'm curious - who told you that metal detection is required for SQF? What did they reference for that requirement?
Our consultant has told us that the metal detection is mandatory.
I'm sorry, but I just re-read the current Module 11 Guidance Document, and I don't find verbiage there that indicates metal detection is necessary.
On what basis does your consultant believe that it is necessary?
Perhaps a more helpful follow-up question to that: What other foreign material control measures do you currently have in place, and how well are they functioning?
Just an FYI - I found this comparison of the four major GFSI schemes, and as you'll see, metal detection is NOT required by SQF (though HIGHLY recommended):
Thank you for the link. :)
No problem - glad to help.
I'm in no way saying you shouldn't have a metal detector, just to be clear...that's a decision you and your company need to make, based upon your risk and hazard analysis. However, I hate when people claim that something is required when it is not...so, I just wanted you to be aware.
You should also be aware that, if you choose not to have a metal detector, you will likely need to have some very good, well thought-out and concrete written evidence and reasoning for it...or you may find yourself having a hard time convincing an auditor.
Hi Lisa,
I think your consultant is mixing SQF up with BRC as they specifically require justification for not having a metal detector or similar detection equipment.
There is nothing in the SQF code that says you must have a metal detector. Better start fact checking your consultant.
From my experience with SQF certification, I have in the past had processing lines that do not have in-line metal detection as it was a low risk product with no history of metal contamination or complaint over many many years (this was also a co-pack scenario where the customer did not require it).
Having a metal detector is indeed a control point, but designating it a critical control point would have be based a few things:
- Is there a likely risk of metal contamination in the product?
- Is there a history of metal being found in this product or in they type of processing upstream of the metal detector?
- What is the severity and consequences of the risk if it were not controlled?
- Where in the processing stream is the metal detector (is there a processing point further down stream that would better control a metal hazard)?
The short answer would be no, it does not HAVE to be a CCP for SQF but I would darn well make sure you can justify AND validate your reasoning why it doesn't need to be a CCP. I believe this will also apply to any Preventive Process Controls under a HARPC program.
From my experience with SQF certification ......
The short answer would be no, it does not HAVE to be a CCP for SQF but I would darn well make sure you can justify AND validate your reasoning why it doesn't need to be a CCP. I believe this will also apply to any Preventive Process Controls under a HARPC program.
It wasn't a question of whether metal detection was a CCP. It was a question of if it was required by SQF.
It could be appropriate as a Preventive Control, that doesn't mean it is a CCP and if there is no history of problems and the risk is low then I don't see the need for a metal detector.
Kind regards,
Tony
The metal detection would be on the final packages, before going into the shipping cases. We have pre-requisites for all lines and makeup points for the products, indicating that there is no missing or broken metal (or other) parts on any machines or lines. We have never had a complaint about metal in any of our products (in over 20 years of manufacturing).
Again, there is no requirement per SQF for a metal detector. Tell your consultant to stick with the facts or codes for that matter.
Metal Detectors are part of your Preventive Process Control. These controls are different based on the products you are producing. Some companies use X-ray.
For our company; we use sieves and filters since we are a food aerosol company.
We do not use metal detectors and although it is questioned at every SQF Audit, I explain our reasons for choosing not to use one and the other process controls in place. It has never been a problem.
Scole,
How do you handle the 11.7.6.2 then? Do you use sieves and magnets? How would one validate and verify those two. We do not have a metal detector either. We use sieve screens and magnets. We have never had a metal complaint from any customers and they are not requiring us to have a metal detector. We check magnets for slivers every day and also check the sieves for condition and materials everyday. We have not found issues with either. Following maintenance we can have some metal slivers show up on the magnets but we divert all the product to disposal until the magnets run clear. Is that sufficient?