How to approve farmers who are not GFSI certified?

Hello, 

I think you may design a questionnare for them containing the caluses that GFSI or BRC standards asking for and they answer by yes or no and evidenece , this way is suitable for suppliers or vendors who are far away from you and also you can ask them about the certificates that they have like global gap certificate or any other similiar certifcates , that will help you during the audit. 

Please if you have any un clear points and want to ask please go ahead.

Hope that i help you 

 

Hello everybody,

 

We are buying most of our raw material from farmers, and most of those farmer are not GFSI certified. To approve them as suppliers we requested them any external audit that was done recently but the report that they provide lack of tractability, HACCP and GMP. and we are confused what we can require as document or how to approve them as supplier especially that from some product there is only one supplier in USA. 

 

Many thanks

 

Hi houdarR,

Are you referring to a response to clauses 3.5.1.1 and 3.5.1.2  of BRC7/Food?

If so the options will depend on the evaluated risk of the Raw material. And possibly of the Supplier also.

None of the farmers use a GAP program (on farm food safety)?

You should ask if they follow

Harvest date from application standards

Application rates of chemicals follow the particular manufacturers guidelines

Is sewage or compost applied and if so how and how far ahead of harvesting is it used

Are they using a GMP seed or not

Do they follow good harvesting practices if harvested by hand

Have a look at the Global Gap standard or the USDA on farm food safety program and then base your supplier approvals from there

Even if the farmers aren't certified, they are probably doing everything included in a GAP program

**GMO***

 

Hello everybody,

 

We are buying most of our raw material from farmers, and most of those farmer are not GFSI certified. To approve them as suppliers we requested them any external audit that was done recently but the report that they provide lack of tractability, HACCP and GMP. and we are confused what we can require as document or how to approve them as supplier especially that from some product there is only one supplier in USA. 

 

Many thanks

 

Hello,

I am in the same situation. Some of the farms where we get the raw materials (squash butternut, parsnip, cabbage, kale) are not GFSI certified, so they do not have in place food safety programs or follow GAP.

Could you please share what did you do? What documents do you required to approved those farms?

Thank you!