8 replies to this topic

[kate.dixon381]

Hi Just wondering currently I have a plant in Moncton NB Canada and we also have a plant in South Carolina USA. Our plant in Moncton is BRC already for the past 8 years and now we are trying to implement a GFSI scheme into our new plant in SC however I'm wondering if we should do FSSC or can we stick with BRC for that plant too? What kinds of issues would I run into remaining with the BRC program in SC? What would the major retailers prefer? FSSC or BRC? 

[MsMars]

What is your product or process? Do you export outside the Americas?

[kate.dixon381]

Hi Thanks for replying! We only import/export within Canada and the USA. 

[Scampi]

Kate, are you protein or other?

[kate.dixon381]

No, we produce in canada Naan flatbreads, pita breads and tortillas and bagels. In SC, we make a gluten free line of loaf breads, cookies, muffins and various buns.  

[Scampi]

Ok, i'm only asking because I know some Canadian companies are opting for FSSC because it aligns better with the new SFCR

 

If you will be managing the implementation in SC, it's probably easiest for you to stick with what you know, FSSC has some very different requirements than BRC and it would be easy to get mixed up.

 

If however, you will not, then I would choose which ever seems to suit the process best!

 

NOTE: sometimes you can get a better price on auditing when more than 1 site is audited to the same standard when owned by the same parent company

[kate.dixon381]

My only worry is that if I continue to implement the BRC system in SC, are the retailers in the US going to ok with this? Is it going to limit my sales? 

 

I'd prefer to stick with BRC but if FSSC is going to be a requirement of some of the major retailers in the US then I wouldn't want to go through all the effort of implementing BRC.. 

[MsMars]

BRC is what I would go with, even in the U.S. IME, BRC expectations are more widely known than FSSC (and clearer/more user-friendly, IMO).

[SQFconsultant]

Normal retailer requirements for GFSI in the USA has primarily been SQF, BRC and then FSSC.