FSSC finding for not conducting final product MRL testing

Finding: Final product was not analyzed for MRL’s (pesticide residues) heavy metals, SO2 levels or Aflatoxins to verify legal compliance.

We are a company that manufactures Jam and Fruit Juice Concentrate.

I need assistance please with the finding above.

do I send all my products for pesticide residues, heavy metals, SO2 levels or Aflatoxins to verify legal compliance.

or must I risk asses them.

which are the legal compliance I need to refer to?

Hi Wendy

I have a colleague whose company also makes fruit juice concentrates and they test each batch they produce, what they test depends on the country they export to but for most cases the standard *additional tests are as you mentioned pesticide residues, heavy metals, SO2 levels and Aflatoxins.

*I say additional tests because there are obviously other internal tests that is done like brix, colour, pH etc.

Are you selling local or to which countries do you export to?

I would say that it is information your suppliers should be providing. I request pesticide, heavy metal and authenticity analyses from all our suppliers for each product they supply on an annual basis. This is considered sufficient by BRC. We do send out samples for analysis occasionally as there will be some variance. This is for juices, purees and whole fruit.

Hi Wendy

 

I have a colleague whose company also makes fruit juice concentrates and they test each batch they produce, what they test depends on the country they export to but for most cases the standard *additional tests are as you mentioned pesticide residues, heavy metals, SO2 levels and Aflatoxins.

 

*I say additional tests because there are obviously other internal tests that is done like brix, colour, pH etc.

 

Are you selling local or to which countries do you export to?

We only sell local.