11 replies to this topic

[tde19]

Hello! 

 

I am working with a new cleaning company and they have sent me a list of chemicals (below) they would like to use to clean our break rooms, offices, and bathrooms. Does anyone have guidance on if these are acceptable to use in non production areas and meet SQF codes? What do I need to have on each cleaning agent to ensure we are complaint?

 

Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach, Rain Clean

Clorox Clean-Up All-Purpose Cleaner with Bleach, Original

Member's Mark Glass Cleaner 

Fabuloso Multi-Purpose Cleaner Ocean Cool

Pledge Furniture Spray

Pine-Sol All-Purpose Cleaner, Lemon Fresh

Clorox Performance Bleach with Cloromax

 

Thank you in advance for you help!

[jaredD]

Hello tdowling, 

 

As far as I can recall SQF does not have a list of approved chemicals. You should do a simple risk assessment of these chemicals and if they could pose a potential risk to your production. If they don't no worries, if they do find different chemicals for them to use or residual testing may be an option (some sort of control). Maybe just get copies of their SSOP's to show how they will be cleaning and if they do any residual testing themselves. Potentially monthly or quarterly verification's to ensure the service is cleaning to their SSOP's. Also consider any other bodies that govern you like organics or kosher but it shouldn't have a big impact considering it is non production areas. In my opinion I wouldn't waste a lot of time stressing of this, I'm sure you have bigger things to worry about. 

 

Hope this helps, 

 

J.

[kfromNE]

If the cleaning company is storing the products in your facility - you must have them on your chemical list. Then let staff know those can't be used in production areas. As a precaution - I would also check for allergens especially the surface cleaners. I've been asked about them on an audit before.

 

One new thing I have found - Though you don't have to worry about shea nut butter. https://farrp.unl.edu/shea-nut-butter

[SQFconsultant]

Sanitation compliance for SQF can be found here:

11.2.13 Cleaning and Sanitation

 

Assuming your company is modules 2 & 11

[tde19]

Sanitation compliance for SQF can be found here:

11.2.13 Cleaning and Sanitation

 

Assuming your company is modules 2 & 11

Thank you for your answer SQFConsultant. The code does not specifically mention non production areas, should I then assume I need to be compliant in non production areas as if it were a processing area?

[CHRISTBEARER7]

One more thing would be to have the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) readily available for those chemicals.

[Hoosiersmoker]

Our Cleaning Chemicals Register lists the chemicals (alphabetically), the manufacturer, the ares they are used and the date the chemical was added. So far, this has been accepted by all auditors.

 

I recently discovered that SQF 8 & 8.2 for Food Packaging Manufacturers do not require a full chemical register for all chemicals, just one for cleaning chemicals. This has simplified that area of the audit however, I still do my chemical review 3 X a year as a part of my safety program to remain in compliance with OSHA requirements.

[Hank Major]

Thank you for your answer SQFConsultant. The code does not specifically mention non production areas, should I then assume I need to be compliant in non production areas as if it were a processing area?

 

Yes, one can easily imagine an employee taking cleaning supplies from anywhere they can find them, and using them in production.  And why shouldn't they?  An auditor will not look kindly on a cleanser that is not food safe.

 

For some chemical that is really dangerous, you would have to have a special cabinet with security just shy of a bank vault.  One of my clients (the company president) buys the high-powered stuff himself, then he and I do the sanitizing in the evening when nobody else is around, then he drives to another property of his and stores the item there, just so no employee or auditor can find it.

[SQFconsultant]

Yes, one can easily imagine an employee taking cleaning supplies from anywhere they can find them, and using them in production.  And why shouldn't they?  An auditor will not look kindly on a cleanser that is not food safe.

 

For some chemical that is really dangerous, you would have to have a special cabinet with security just shy of a bank vault.  One of my clients (the company president) buys the high-powered stuff himself, then he and I do the sanitizing in the evening when nobody else is around, then he drives to another property of his and stores the item there, just so no employee or auditor can find it.

 

Yes, Hank - thank you.

 

and that is exactly what happens, a production employee can not find a cleaner and goes into an office and gets "something" that is not food safe and uses that, happens a lot.

[MsMars]

SDS sheets for all and all chemicals locked in a designated storage area with limited access.  Those who have access get training on what and what not to use in production areas and contact surfaces.

[Charles.C]

Yes, Hank - thank you.

 

and that is exactly what happens, a production employee can not find a cleaner and goes into an office and gets "something" that is not food safe and uses that, happens a lot.

 

The OP is hopefully solvable by - 

 

(a) requiring QA approval to use any unlisted Chemical in a Production area .

(b) implementation of GMP./Food Defense/Risk Assessment, for example, it would be rather nonsensical IMO to use a highly fragranced cleaner/sanitiser in a toilet in proximity to the Production Area but might be irrelevant for a distant, unconnectable Office ?? Or a worst-case scenario might be justifiably implemented ??

 

Unfortunately, human error/blunder is always a potential, non-100%-eliminatable hazard.

 

PS - ([a] has a different problem if Upper Management are unable to trust QA).

 

With respect to SQF, I note -

 

11.2.13.1   The  methods  and  responsibility  for  the  cleaning  of  the  food  handling  and  processing  equipment  and environment,  storage  areas,  staff  amenities  and  toilet  facilities  shall  be  documented  and  implemented.

 

11.2.13.8   Detergents  and  sanitizers  shall  be  suitable  for  use  in  a  food  manufacturing  environment,  labelled according to regulatory requirements, and purchased in accordance with applicable legislation.  The organization shall ensure:

i.  The site maintains a list of chemicals approved for use; 

ii.  An inventory of all chemicals purchased and used shall be maintained;

iii.  Detergents and sanitizers are stored as outlined in element 11.6.4;

iv.  Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are provided for all detergents

 

(Section 11.6.4 is also highly detailed)

 

PPS -  Personally, for Production area approved Chemicals, I would add a (v) to above list - Supplier's documentation ideally stating that Chemical is Food Grade or Food Safe but, in the case that these 2 terms are not realistic, minimally stating that Chemical is suitable for use in a Food Manufacturing Environment. (I can also conceive of a possible necessity in some situations for the processor to establish equivalent validatory documentation by himself, eg well-water).

Edited by Charles.C, 28 September 2019 - 12:07 PM.
expanded

[tde19]

Thank you all for your replies! I have the chemicals locked in a cabinet where the only people with keys are the person doing the cleaning and myself. I've added the chemicals to our list and have notes on the list that say they are stored in non production areas. Any thoughts on where to find SDS's for commercial items? I've looked on the websites and cannot seem to find anything, even under the SDS links. I've also contacted their help emails and have been directed right back to the SDS link.