Master Sanitation List

Currently we have a master sanitation list, just a basic list the breaks down the frequency of when items and equipment need to be cleaned for reference.  Aside from this we have SSOP's  (explain chemical usage and PPE) and a daily, weekly, and monthly checklists ( marked cleaned and verified by supervisor). Our QA manager wants to get rid of the master sanitation list  because its just another piece of paper that we don't use.  To substitute this he wants to just the checklist.  I feel like we need a master sanitation list but I haven't actually found any reference that says we need it.  In your opinions will keeping just the daily, weekly and monthly checklist satisfy the requirement for an SQF level 2 Audit? Thanks in advance!

Hi Egriff4, 

I'm a newby to SQF and I am the Practitioner and we just had our pre-assessment audit and the same guy who did our pre-assessment will do our audit at the end of this month.  He was very adamant about the Master Sanitation list, and the SOP's that correlate to them.  I was just using a checklist and he wanted to see where I based my checklist from.  In my opinion it never hurts to have more documents than less.

Thanks for the advice!

We've been told by regulatory and SQF that the tasks on the Master Sanitation List must all have corresponding SSOPs. If the tasks on the Master Sanitation list are duplicated by the checklists, why not combine them and call that the Master Sanitation List? We have daily cleaning checklists, but the weekly/ monthly tasks are reserved for the Master Sanitation List.

The code DOES NOT specifically say a register or master list is required....just says you shall document

1. what

2.how

3. when

4. who

5. titration methods

6. method and who does pre op

Just because an auditor says you should doesn't mean you SHALL.....they cannot ask for something that is not in the code

However, a master is probably easier to manage when it comes to annual reassessment!?!

Demands by FS Auditors for specific documents unmentioned in the FS Standard presumably should not happen but they obviously do.

There have been legendarily long discussions/arguments over such issues, particularly for the ISO9000 series.

As per previous Post, the classic pushback is -

Where is this requested in the Standard ? (Note - Guidance Materials are typically not Auditable Documents).

Thanks for all the advice on this.  It gives me something to work with! 

Hi Egriff4,
It’s a general food industry approach especially under SQF for developing a Master Cleaning Schedule or List. What would be generally expected is a list of areas cleaned, summary of activities done before, during and after cleaning/sanitation. Schedule will also include tools to be used before, during and after. Cleaning and sanitation chemicals used alongside residual testing monitoring system in place. Ideally you would need to include ppm maximum levels as provided by your chemical manufacturer or supplier for different surfaces. Also include who is responsible for monitoring or verification as well as validation references. Above all frequencies for all activities must be defined. If you create your schedule properly you will only need to develop SOPs only for specific areas not everything in your facility as the gist will have been covered in your schedule. Activities covered in the schedule don’t need to be repeated in the SOP unless more details are required. The primary focus should be to document tasks that are defined in the schedule as it’s the only evidence that you have completed activities in your schedule. With time validation will move from regulatory/ industry/ product to the history of your operations and equipment.

Hope this will help.

Good luck.

Hi LCM,

A possible record for paragraph length.

Thanks anyway.