2 replies to this topic

[Willis Morgan]

Hi, I am working my way through SQF and am a bit stuck on this clause 2.3.2.3, I am not 100% sure exactly what is being asked for and the guidance document does not really clarify it for me. Any help on this would be appreciated.

[Tony-C]

Hi Willis,

 

The SQF Code States:
2.3.2.3 The methods and responsibility for developing and approving detailed raw material, ingredient, and packaging specifications shall be documented.

 

So you should be clarifying who specifies and approves raw materials, ingredients and packaging for your products.

 

In my previous roles the product development team have been initially responsible for managing a product from concept to launch, this would include specifying raw materials, ingredients, packaging, the process and finished product all of which would be approved by the Product Development Manager.

 

At some stage ownership and approval would include the factory team and the Quality Manager/Technical Manager's approval/sign off (Also perhaps an Operational Approval).

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

[Quality Is the Goal]

I just had an SQF Audit last week.

 

So the Auditor in my facility was looking for all the raw materials (boxes, tape, plastic bags, raw materials, basically everything that we have in the facility) and finish product specifications created by my facility.

 

Auditor was looking for raw material and packaging material specifications that describing what exactly do we need in order to produce or pack our products (the raw materials specs provided by suppliers will not work, you must creat your own specs) so the specs that we must provide to our suppliers so they know what exactly our requirments are. I have all the specifications on a company letterhead, signed by the management as an approval.

 

Also auditor wanted to see a procedure, so procedure must be specified who exactly assigned to approve the raw material and finished product specifications, also how they approved (signature, stamp, etc) and how do you know that those raw materials are what You are looking for (testing, trials documents, etc).