Inclusion of packaging material in the HACCP flow chart
Hello to all SQF experts: I wanted to first of all give thanks to all of the community here, it has being very helpful all of the recommendations that i got from here, we just barely passed our SQF audit with a score of 95!! :sorcerer: thanks for all of the input.
Now as part of our correction of findings the auditor ask for certain changes in our HACCP flow chart, he got a finding about packaging material, the exact words that he used are as follow"
"HACCP flow diagram chart did not include the receiving, storage of packaging materials" and then as part of my notes he said "Add to flow diagram the introduction of packaging material in the process and a hazard analysis for packaging as part of the HACCP plan" .
So im a little confused, I added packaging material to the ingredients hazard analysis do I have to also add it to the flow diagrams? I mean, i already have a section in it for receiving of all ingredients and storage of all ingredients and we handle them the same way, do i have to create a more specific section just for packaging materials? any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Brenda.
IME yes, you should include packaging materials in your HACCP diagram receiving flow, whether you add it to your ingredient flow, or add a separate flow altogether. Don't forget to account for it in manufacturing flow portion of your diagram.
Packaging should be treated much the same way as an ingredient in the entirety of your food safety plan, including risk analysis, approved suppler program, etc.
Yes, it 100% needs included as an input and on the flow chart................the other thing to consider here is the flow of packaging waste, which can also cause issues. People often underestimate how informative a good flow chart is!!
As a matter of fact, I just sent my boss a PR for Visio............not cheap, but you can layer charts, add data etc etc
Once you chart out everything, then you can see cross contamination points you may not have considered
Yes,
packaging must be added to the chart. It may come in at a different stage to the ingredients, possibly later . The ingredients will be mixed, cooked etc then packed so packaging will have an entry point arrow later in the process. Consider whether you decant the packaging in the production area or prio to entry. Is there waste i.e. labels, tape, bags, pallets from the packaging that needs to be shown leaving the flow chart too? We had self adhesive bags. We had to remove the strip of paper to expose the sticky area. We had a vac line attached to ensure the strips did not become a contamination.
Agree with all the above comments, you should show inflow of packaging materials in the process flow diagram, and also preparatory steps where packing materials under go washing, drying, screening, etc. Conduct hazard analysis for these steps as well.
Thanks
Mahantesh
The hazard analysis and flow chart are very strongly related. Your flow chart identifies what hazards may be present. Your hazard analysis should show what controls are required for the appropriate processes in your flow chart.
In other words: If it is on your flow chart it should be addressed in your hazard analysis (you may have no hazards at a particular point). If you have a control listed in your hazard analysis there should be a process indicated on your flow chart.
Include receiving, storage, and any steps unique to packaging (ie sanitizing). There might be more steps depending on specifics.
Add an arrow where packaging is introduced to product.