23 replies to this topic

[Silvialima]

Hello,

 

Is there any maximum time of completion for a mock recall/traceability exercise according to SQF standards? I recalled seeing 4 hours somewhere, but I cannot find the source now. I couldn't find anything in the SQF code. 

 

Thank you!

 

Silvia

[brnd.pnd]

Hello,

 

In our bakery (cheesecakes,cakes,muffins,etc) we state 2 hours for the mock recalls. Usually auditors (ive dealt with silliker and sqf) also give you 2 hours to complete it. Im not sure where the source comes from.

[mruth84]

From my knowledge, there is no time requirement within the SQF code.  However, your customers may have a time and % recovery requirement  (100% in 2hrs).

[SQFconsultant]

24 hours.

[Peaches]

We have it written in our policy that our goal is to perform the recall is 2 hours or less and documented corrective actions are needed if it takes us longer than 2 but less than 4. If it takes us more than 4 hours we have to repeat the exercise within 60 days.    

[Silvialima]

Thank you! 24 hours is the time limit to notify your certification body and SQFI. 

 

At my previous job I passed several SQF audits, and I used to use 4 hours as the limit. I believe I got that from an SQF document, but I cannot find it. May be it is an industry standard (?).

 

Thank you!

 

Silvia 

[SQFconsultant]

Gee, my bad - you are correct it is not in the code, something tells me to look somewhere else however, I will check as now I need to know for certain.

[SQFconsultant]

Under 7.2 there is NO time limit for a test of the recall/trace, etc. program.  Interesting to say the least!

[foodsafety4all]

Thank you! 24 hours is the time limit to notify your certification body and SQFI.

At my previous job I passed several SQF audits, and I used to use 4 hours as the limit. I believe I got that from an SQF document, but I cannot find it. May be it is an industry standard (?).

Thank you!

Silvia

4 hours traceability time has been mentioned in brc standard. This came from that standard.

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[Marlon Fernando]

4 hours traceability time has been mentioned in brc standard. This came from that standard.

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For the traceability trial four hours time duration has been stated in the BRC Food standard (issue 7) clause no: 3.9.2, but for a mock recall no specific time has been stated as far as I know in any food standard.

[Charles.C]

Hi FS4/Marion,

 

The OP requirement was for SQF.

 

(Posts 3,7, 8)

[foodsafety4all]

For the traceability trial four hours time duration has been stated in the BRC Food standard (issue 7) clause no: 3.9.2, but for a mock recall no specific time has been stated as far as I know in any food standard.

Mock recall/traceability should be treated as actual traceability with complete details of mass balance from rm to fg used/stored at customer level.
So communication proof of acknowledgement from customer end within 4 hour is must.

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[Charles.C]

Hi All,

 

Just to avoid confusion -

 

 GFSI-AIB, Traceability - Mock Recall Time Limits.png   21.16KB   6 downloads

 

Additions / Corrections welcomed

[paulpaine]

SQF does not state a time limit but our clients have requested 2 hours on a mock recall and 24 hrs notification to certification bodies for an actual recall.

[Charles.C]

SQF does not state a time limit but our clients have requested 2 hours on a mock recall and 24 hrs notification to certification bodies for an actual recall.

 

Hi paulpaine,

 

Thks. The latter requirement is actually stated in sqf standard 7.2 (to sqf).

[Tony-C]

Hi Silvia,

 

There is no time specified so it would be something less than 24 hours given the notification requirements.

 

Previous guidance stated the following:

The supplier must also be aware of the recall targets set by retail customers. 
Some may require 100% identification and quarantine of affected product within hours or recall notification. 
Regulatory recall requirements must also be considered.

 

​​Kind regards,

 

Tony

[burilini55]

Hi Silvia-

I direct an ingredient company under FSSC 22000, but I can tell you that the customer base globally repeatedly requests under 4 hrs. My program is greatly driven by the restrictions put on us by customers if they are narrower than the regulation of standards.

[VTRex]

I know when we went through our first GMP audit the auditor failed us after 2 hours. That was a hard lesson on tracking primary packaging! LOL!

[StellaTan]

Goal is to complete the recall within 2 hours, and max 4 hours.

[DeadPresident]

Goal is to complete the recall within 2 hours, and max 4 hours.

Can you share where you got this timeframe from?

[Tony-C]

Can you share where you got this timeframe from?

 

Hi DeadPresident,

 

I have looked through 12 years of the SQF Code Standards and Guidance, going back to The SQF Code, Edition 7 and I have not found a single mention of a timed test, only the text as per post 16 above.

 

The 4-hour requirement comes from the BRCGS and dates back at least 12 years, possibly longer.

 

I have not seen a reference to 2 hours, I wouldn't give too much credibility to a post from someone who has only posted twice on the forums and hasn’t posted for 5 years 

 

As per BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 9 Section 3.9 Traceability, clause 3.9.3:

The traceability test shall include a summary of the documents that should be referenced during the test, and clearly show the links between them. The test shall occur at a predetermined frequency, at a minimum annually, and results shall be retained for inspection. Traceability should be achievable within 4 hours.

 

From BRC Guidance:

The test of traceability should be timed and full traceability would be expected to be achieved within 4 hours. This is to reflect the need for rapid traceability in the event of a recall. Where traceability takes longer than 4 hours, review the areas where the retrieval of information is slow in order to identify improvements.

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

[MOHAMMED ZAMEERUDDIN]

We are following the time of completion for recall & traceability is 24 hrs & 2 hrs respectively.

[Peaches]

The 2-4 hour window usually is taking into account several business responsibilities including notifying internal business units, customers, suppliers and regulatory personnel. GFSI doesn't necessarily require a time limit however they will audit based on what is written into the program. A company should know how long it takes and set a goal for their plants and corrective action level if the goal is not met

[ShaunD]

I know this was originally an old post reincarnated but some UK retailers have the requirement that "All affected products must be located within 2 hours of the withdrawal/recall being started". 

Taken from Tesco Manaufacturing Standard v2 clause 25.6 Withdrawal and recall plans.

I have also been requested, during traceability exercises carried out during their audits, to demonstrate where all product was dispatched within the 2 hours, and 4 hours for the complete trace to be finished.

I always include this detail in all our recall/withdrawal tests.