6 replies to this topic

[Bingo67]

This was a nonconforming for my desk audit - we are a dry blending manufacturer.  

 

How do I write a procedure for this ? The scale weight used for measuring ingredients before blending & during packaging if out of calibration would be a quality issue not a food safety issue?

 

Here is what is being recommended to me - I think this opens me up to having to recall back to the last correct calibration - which is done every 6 months.

 

Help!

 

Procedure:

  If any measuring device is found to be out of calibration, stop production line, notify QC or Management.  All products measured with this device since the last passing calibration test shall be tagged non-conforming as well as the measuring device.  The non-conforming product can be re-measured with properly calibrated equipment.  QC or Management may decide to discard the material, if so the product must be made unusable before going in the trash.  A Food Safety Incident Report shall be recorded and record discarded product including wasted packaging materials.

 

 

 

 

[EvanAUS]

Correct weights are a regulatory issue. The first requirement of all Food Safety Standards is that you must meet all regulations governing your business. The intent of the Standard is that you can guarantee the accuracy of your measurements. The frequency of calibration of measurement equipment must be based on risk. How much product can you afford to quarantine? Some operations verify the accuracy of scales as often as each 30 minutes.


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[Bingo67]

Yes - we verify & check weights every 30 minutes.  I didn't know if the standard meant back to the last weight check - which we can absolutley isolate product - or back to the actual certified calibration from an outside source.

 

So I can write back to the last weight check?

[Bingo67]

Correct weights are a regulatory issue. The first requirement of all Food Safety Standards is that you must meet all regulations governing your business. The intent of the Standard is that you can guarantee the accuracy of your measurements. The frequency of calibration of measurement equipment must be based on risk. How much product can you afford to quarantine? Some operations verify the accuracy of scales as often as each 30 minutes.


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Great - thank you. I wasn't thinking about it like that. Does there need to be statement about getting it recalibrated ? 

[EvanAUS]

If you are using calibrated test masses to verify the accuracy of your scales (frequency based on risk and/or customer requirements), then external calibration is virtually irrelevant. Most countries require at least annual external calibration. I certainly wouldn’t recommend more frequent external calibration of scales - just a waste of money. You will know when your scales lose accuracy from your internal checks. It is generally cheaper to purchase new scales than to have them fixed - and new scales come with a certificate of calibration.
External calibration of your test masses should be contracted annually.


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[EvanAUS]

Great - thank you. I wasn't thinking about it like that. Does there need to be statement about getting it recalibrated ?

I’m not sure what you mean? The external calibration will provide a certificate. Your internal verification checks must be recorded - your Auditor will ask for your monitoring records and corrective actions when scales are discovered to be inaccurate.


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[Bingo67]

I’m not sure what you mean? The external calibration will provide a certificate. Your internal verification checks must be recorded - your Auditor will ask for your monitoring records and corrective actions when scales are discovered to be inaccurate.


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Yes - we have both and haven't had any corrective actions on this.  Just wasn't sure on my written procedure.