Need microbiological water testing system gap analysis

Presently we are looking to find a reputable, expert consultant to provide an consultation, analysis, gap assessment, and recommendation support for our Atlanta, GA food packaging manufacturing facility in the area of water microbiological testing and hazard analysis to improve our current SQF compliance. This is an urgent need and would like a consultant within the next two weeks if possible.-

Does anyone have recommendations as to a consulting firm, an individual, or place we should look for a consultant?

Please let me know-

Hello neighbor I'm located in Rome GA and we always use Chilton Consulting which is now part of Alchemy Systems.

email either jeff.chilton@alchemysystems.com or andy.chilton@alchemysystems.com

Alchemy is in Austin Texas but I believe Chilton Consulting may still have offices in Rocky Face near Dalton.

additionally, we use National Testing in Cleveland Ohio to test our water every year

Get a hold of your state EPA and find out what accredited labs for municipal water testing are in your state. Reach out to those labs to see if they have consulting services. Will be a much faster turnaround that many of the national consultants.

I should have been a bit more specific- the testing and process analysis is for an internal process after the city water comes into our facility.

Contact your local MicroBac lab and request consulting on your specific need. 

I should have been a bit more specific- the testing and process analysis is for an internal process after the city water comes into our facility.

Do you mean that you don't believe (some of) the official quality data for the input which I assume exists (IMEX it always exists but I'm not in USA) ?

(the typical standard is "Drinking" quality)

Or perhaps you worry that the indicated quality is (somehow)  inadequate for yr process ?

Answers to such queries may help to focus yr further consultancy etc needs.

Or do you want testing of something other than water ?

We are concerned that our individual process, quality measurement and frequency, as well as understanding of the SQF code is possibly not sufficient to ensure meeting requirements. We are looking for a consultant near Atlanta, GA to visit a facility and provide guidance, recommendations, and solutions to meet the requirements (which wee also need a better understanding of).

So our concerns are that water is a part of our processing and we need to verify and show adequate cleaning methods affecting equipment that the water comes in contact with as well as when it hits our packaging product internally. - It is fine to test the city water coming into the plant; - we have that covered. But from point of facility entry by the city to coming in contact with product is the concerns.

Thanks

So our concerns are that water is a part of our processing and we need to verify and show adequate cleaning methods affecting equipment that the water comes in contact with as well as when it hits our packaging product internally. - It is fine to test the city water coming into the plant; - we have that covered. But from point of facility entry by the city to coming in contact with product is the concerns.

Thanks

Hi Kristine,

In some respects, the answer is identical whether yr interest is internal or external.

The answer to "red" part is IMEX easy. Implement sampling/analysis of yr water at point of internal usage. This is a routine requirement in BRC Standard but SQF I'm unsure, i anticipate the same. Typical SOPs for sampling step are available and may also be detailed within the framework of the legal requirements discussed below.

The answer as to analysis for what depends on whether you are considering safety only or including non-safety factors (ie the current SQF Lvls 2/3)

I assume yr objective is safety only.

Then, afaik, the Global HACCP requirement is basically simple - process ingredients must be "Food-Grade".

For water, the legal interpretation of "food-grade" is typically that it must comply with the relevant Drinking Water Standard. (Legality is always the No.1 prioritised FS Standard criterion).

So you presumably require a Consultant who is aware of the relevant Local/Destination (assumed USA) US legal analytical requirements for classification as Drinking Water (I'm not aware if State requirements legally over-ride Federal for this case).(IIRC the published US Federal Requirement involves measurement of something like 10-15 items [as compared to the EC food import requirements of around 50!])

Hopefully all reputable US Consultants will be familiar/knowledgeable with the above.