SQF- Recall/Traceability - Time of Completion

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

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.

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).

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.    

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 

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.

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

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.

Sent from my E2363 using Tapatalk

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.

Hi FS4/Marion,

The OP requirement was for SQF.

(Posts 3,7, 8)

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.

Hi All,

Just to avoid confusion -

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

Additions / Corrections welcomed :smile:

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.

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).

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

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!

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

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

Can you share where you got this timeframe from?

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  :potplant:

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

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

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

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.