Jump to content

  • Quick Navigation
Photo

BRC Clause 5.6.1 - Defining Frequency

Share this

Best Answer , 10 March 2021 - 05:28 PM

 

the only thing I can state with confidence is that our operators does a make ready for every job at each process prior to starting production but the actual checks during production varies by the job quantity and operator experience hence the "regular interval". So they do the quality checks during production but its with varying frequency.

 

Would there be an encompassing phrase/statement that can satisfy this clause for this varying interval where it would not compromise what we are already doing in production?

The bit in red is potentially problematic for you, unless you can show that everyone does the minimum (defined!) testing, and others choose to exceed this.

As far as I can see, the only way to have an all-encompassing phrase for this will be to use one that doesn't really say anything, but instead points the reader/operator to a separate schedule where you've defined actual frequencies.

I still think you'll need to put that associated schedule together, as a live document so you can add new products/variations/production sizes etc, but so that you also still have a clear an unequivocal list so that (a) you have something against which you can train people, and (b) you have something nice and clear to show to your BRC auditor(s).


  • You cannot start a new topic
  • Please log in to reply
6 replies to this topic
- - - - -

BluePanda

    Grade - Active

  • IFSQN Active
  • 8 posts
  • 0 thanks
1
Neutral

  • United Kingdom
    United Kingdom

Posted 09 March 2021 - 05:29 PM

Hi all, according to the interpretation for the above clause "It is necessary to define the frequency of inspections and this may be done using industry standards, customer requirements, on the basis of risk or by a combination of these." My concern is that because our frequency changes depending on the job size and complexity, we don't really have a "defined" frequency. In our SOP we only state that quality checks are being done at "Regular intervals".  Will this be enough to satisfy the clause even though we don't have a defined frequency? Will I need to do a Risk Assessment on this changing Regular Intervals?



Scampi

    Fellow

  • IFSQN Fellow
  • 5,444 posts
  • 1507 thanks
1,524
Excellent

  • Canada
    Canada
  • Gender:Not Telling

Posted 09 March 2021 - 06:34 PM

Not BRC myself, but I know our federal regulatory body would not accept regular intervals. Ever

 

SQF won't either

 

What does work is language like

 

Once every 20,000 units    or      once every hour of operations

 

 

That way you've defined the frequency, but not the duration....

 

hope that helps


Please stop referring to me as Sir/sirs


Thanked by 1 Member:

pHruit

    Grade - FIFSQN

  • IFSQN Fellow
  • 2,071 posts
  • 849 thanks
536
Excellent

  • United Kingdom
    United Kingdom
  • Gender:Male
  • Interests:Composing/listening to classical music, electronics, mountain biking, science, sarcasm

Posted 09 March 2021 - 07:47 PM

Why not define per product/group or equivalent, as suited to your process?
I can't imagine that any BRC auditor will accept "regular intervals" as an actual frequency, but there is nothing that says your interval has to be a fixed universal value across all product types.

If you get a "new" type of job, just add this to your schedule as a new category, with its own set of suitable intervals/methods etc.



Thanked by 1 Member:

Roshni

    Grade - AIFSQN

  • IFSQN Associate
  • 36 posts
  • 3 thanks
3
Neutral

  • Australia
    Australia
  • Gender:Female

Posted 10 March 2021 - 02:40 AM

Hi NHer, It is always advisable to define the frequency for testing. One of the method for defining the criteria for frequency is carry out risk assessment. 

 

Do the initial risk assessment, based on which define the frequency. Verify the effectiveness and revisit the process for any changes. Hope this helps.


Regards

 

Roshni

 

 

"Everyone is responsible for food safety"


Thanked by 1 Member:

beautiophile

    Grade - SIFSQN

  • IFSQN Senior
  • 252 posts
  • 81 thanks
41
Excellent

  • Vietnam
    Vietnam
  • Gender:Male

Posted 10 March 2021 - 04:41 AM

[interval] = 1 / [frequency]

An industrial standard or customer requirements usually make a set of loose (long interval), medium and enforced (short interval) frequencies; or in more scales whatsoever. A risk assessment helps to decide what frequency level to pick from the set.



Thanked by 1 Member:

BluePanda

    Grade - Active

  • IFSQN Active
  • 8 posts
  • 0 thanks
1
Neutral

  • United Kingdom
    United Kingdom

Posted 10 March 2021 - 04:25 PM

Thank you all for your advice. I guess my concern at the moment is defining that frequency without creating an issue for us.

 

the only thing I can state with confidence is that our operators does a make ready for every job at each process prior to starting production but the actual checks during production varies by the job quantity and operator experience hence the "regular interval". So they do the quality checks during production but its with varying frequency.

 

Would there be an encompassing phrase/statement that can satisfy this clause for this varying interval where it would not compromise what we are already doing in production?



pHruit

    Grade - FIFSQN

  • IFSQN Fellow
  • 2,071 posts
  • 849 thanks
536
Excellent

  • United Kingdom
    United Kingdom
  • Gender:Male
  • Interests:Composing/listening to classical music, electronics, mountain biking, science, sarcasm

Posted 10 March 2021 - 05:28 PM   Best Answer

 

the only thing I can state with confidence is that our operators does a make ready for every job at each process prior to starting production but the actual checks during production varies by the job quantity and operator experience hence the "regular interval". So they do the quality checks during production but its with varying frequency.

 

Would there be an encompassing phrase/statement that can satisfy this clause for this varying interval where it would not compromise what we are already doing in production?

The bit in red is potentially problematic for you, unless you can show that everyone does the minimum (defined!) testing, and others choose to exceed this.

As far as I can see, the only way to have an all-encompassing phrase for this will be to use one that doesn't really say anything, but instead points the reader/operator to a separate schedule where you've defined actual frequencies.

I still think you'll need to put that associated schedule together, as a live document so you can add new products/variations/production sizes etc, but so that you also still have a clear an unequivocal list so that (a) you have something against which you can train people, and (b) you have something nice and clear to show to your BRC auditor(s).



Thanked by 1 Member:


Share this

0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users