Printer Food Packaging-New Equipment Checklist

Printer of Food Packaging- I'm looking for input on a New Equipment Checklist to meet SQF regulations. Any input? 

Hello munderwood!

I come from the flexible packaging industry and struggled with this too. We have six more weeks until our SQF registration audit. Good thing we have 10 other sister facilities that already had something in place.

The SQF guidance has some really good pointers on this as far as new equipment and what they are looking for. They even created a bullet list as well. Honestly, it can be as simple OR as complicated as you want it to be. Our sister facilities have literally a simple form to check and sign off on while we have a rigorous process with tons of checks and balances (mostly because our safety program is detailed). 

Here are some of the things we look for:

1. Does the new equipment meet our needs? If yes, specs for the new equipment will need to be filed as this proves you have review and approved the specs.

2. Will the construction materials of the equipment be cleanable? Is it durable? Can we clean underneath it? Does a roller need a clamp so that the film doesn't fall on the floor? Will the film run under the equipment? Are the gears open or enclosed? What other food safety risks could there potentially be?

3. Installation requirements - plumbing, ventilation, etc.

4. Required certifications or approvals (NSF, UL, etc)

5. Safety checks (guarding for people safe)

6. Confirmation of acceptance documents (create a packet of all the paperwork to file with #7)

7. Trial run documentation of acceptance and who approved

8. Pathogen swabbing (we clean the equipment and swab for pathogens before we run a trial on the new equipment)

9. Add to preventative maintenance program, cleaning and sanitation program, and glass/brittle plastic inspections.

The following article has the basic principles we look for in sanitary design of the equipment itself: https://www.thepacke...-fsma-sponsored