Help with Supplier approval Procedure requested
Hi, we are a manufacturer of rigid direct food contact packaging(cpet food trays). We are set for our first BRC packaging audit in Feb. I'm having difficulty choosing appropriate supplier approval requirements for box tape, shrink wrap, boxes and bags the trays are packaged in. What is appropriate? Please do not say it's based upon risk. Based upon risk I wouldn't require anything! We are having difficulty getting anything from these suppliers. I would say inspection upon receipt is necessary but that isn't really "supplier approval". Any advice?
Hi Ashley,
:welcome:
Welcome to the IFSQN forums.
As a minimum I would expect you to have an agreed authorized specification for these materials. The level of scrutiny of these suppliers would be on the potential hazards and if they are likely to contaminate your packaging. So it seems you are packing into bags then boxing so for example the questions I would be wanting answer to are the bags suitable for food packaging? is the supplier aware you are using the bags to pack food packaging? Are the bags designated as 'food grade'? etc.
Kind regards,
Tony
I would also add, does your supplier have a pest control program in place, and ask whether or not any known allergens are used in any of their process' and if so, the allergen management program they used to reduce any possible cross contamination (i know some films are made from corn etc these days)
Hi, we are a manufacturer of rigid direct food contact packaging(cpet food trays). We are set for our first BRC packaging audit in Feb. I'm having difficulty choosing appropriate supplier approval requirements for box tape, shrink wrap, boxes and bags the trays are packaged in. What is appropriate? Please do not say it's based upon risk. Based upon risk I wouldn't require anything! We are having difficulty getting anything from these suppliers. I would say inspection upon receipt is necessary but that isn't really "supplier approval". Any advice?
Hi ashley,
^^ Not recommended to be used in an audit. And with all due respect, somewhat disturbing from a HACCP POV.
I would also add, does your supplier have a pest control program in place, and ask whether or not any known allergens are used in any of their process' and if so, the allergen management program they used to reduce any possible cross contamination (i know some films are made from corn etc these days)
Thank you! You don’t think it’s necessary for them to have a GFSI approved certificate? Is that too much? One of our bag suppliers are SQF level 2. The tape and shrink wrap are from distributors I wonder if product specifications would be enough? Thanks for the help, I’m just afraid of over and under doing things!
Hi Ashley,
:welcome:
Welcome to the IFSQN forums.
As a minimum I would expect you to have an agreed authorized specification for these materials. The level of scrutiny of these suppliers would be on the potential hazards and if they are likely to contaminate your packaging. So it seems you are packing into bags then boxing so for example the questions I would be wanting answer to are the bags suitable for food packaging? is the supplier aware you are using the bags to pack food packaging? Are the bags designated as 'food grade'? etc.
Kind regards,
Tony
Hi Tony, thanks for the response. I want to source bags only from companies with a GFSI approved certification and food contact approval declaration. I’m finding it’s easier to get that from bag companies than the box companies. Thanks again, this helped with confirming the direct I’m headed.
Thank you! You don’t think it’s necessary for them to have a GFSI approved certificate? Is that too much? One of our bag suppliers are SQF level 2. The tape and shrink wrap are from distributors I wonder if product specifications would be enough? Thanks for the help, I’m just afraid of over and under doing things!
I don't think either. AFAIK, there are no rules that to gain GFSI-related (e.g. BRC) certificate you need to buy all the things from GFSI-approved suppliers. Since Tony said, you may only need assure the FS of things you buy. You can either inspect them in-house once arriving or set FS criteria for suppliers to comply.
Evaluate the documentation you require from them for your assessment of them as an approved vendor. We use an Approved Supplier form we require all vendors to complete which includes their compliance with:
Contact information,
products supplied,
certifications,
GMP program,
Allergen control info,
foreign body control, cleaning / sanitation prog,
pest control,
food safety and quality prog's and controls,
HACCP plan in place,
process flow and regulatory info (prop 65, coneg, FDA etc).
We give examples of all with Yes or No check-boxes.
We take this information and, depending on what they supply, determine if their product is "safe" for it's use in our products.
We determine case sealing tape to be low risk as the product is already encased before it is applied. In order to get response we made the form quick and easy to complete (check-boxes and yes or no questions) with only a few areas to be typed in.
This is preceded by an explanation of why we require it, that we can only purchase from approved vendors and that failure to complete may result in our inability to purchase their supplies.
I would say at least a letter of continuing guarantee from the supplier including allergen statement, regulatory compliance, certifications etc.
We have a generic form letter we can send them if they've never used one before. In the end, your determination of risk to the safety of your product and the evidence for your decision is what really matters.
Great result Ashley :thumbup:
Kind regards,
Tony
Congratulations Ashley !
Thks also for the "simple" OP which generated a usefully informative thread.