Off site warehouse and SQF 2.3.3.1 of the code

Hello,

 

We just went through an SQF audit and we got a non conformance on code # 2.3.3.1, it has to do with us using an off site cold storage warehouse to store over flow product. 2.3.3.3 states " Contractual agreements with third party storage and distribution businesses shall include requirements relating to customer product requirements and compliance with clause 2.3.3.2 of the SQF code" I am a bit confused on this part does this mean that our contract storage facility must have some type of GFSI certificate or would they just need to demonstrate that their facility is up to SQF standards for a cold storage or what would be the minimum I would need to require from them. 

 

If any one has any advice or experience in this it would be very much appreciated.

 

Thanks, 

William

They need to either have a robust food safety management system in plave or be one of the gfsi certified sites, if not GFSi You will need a full 3rd party audit conducted. Have that next time along with a copy of the contract and summary of food safety controls they have in place.

Thanks Glenn,

 

It is what I was thinking also this warehouse has none of that and I doubt they will be willing to do these things so i have started to look for another place to use.

Hi Willis,

The audit does not have to be 3rd party, if you are or you have your own qualified auditor then that audit (to verify compliance with the SQF Code and customer/regulatory requirements) would be accepted:

2.3.4.6 Supplier audits shall be based on risk (as determined in 2.3.4.2) and shall be conducted by individuals knowledgeable of applicable regulatory and food safety requirements and trained in auditing techniques.

Kind regards,

Tony

Hello,

 

Agree with Tony-C.  It is what I had done in the past when we had an off-site storage warehouse we used.  I created an audit form which I used to go audit them once a year.  After the audit, i would go over what I found with the whomever at the warehouse.  It was mostly minor.  I then risk assessed my findings when back at our facility and typed up a summary and also included whether they were approved or not as part of the documented audit.  This was ok by our auditor.  Hope that helps.

Thanks Tony and Scotty,

 

It is the process i am implementing, I do something similar with my supplier approval.

My wife recieved a mnor for the exact issue.   

Her corrective action is exactly what scotty stated.  It was accepted.   

Hi Scotty,

 

Thanks for the information!  Would you mind sharing the audit template you developed for your 3rd party warehouses?  I'd be really interested in seeing an example of one.

 

Thanks,

Sarah

I cannot find the template I used as I am no longer at the company I had to do that with.  I did find a questionnaire i used at another facility I worked at for Alternate Storage facilities.  I am pretty sure I used that as the basis to create the audit form.  I attached those.  Hope this helps...

 

 

I cannot find the template I used as I am no longer at the company I had to do that with.  I did find a questionnaire i used at another facility I worked at for Alternate Storage facilities.  I am pretty sure I used that as the basis to create the audit form.  I attached those.  Hope this helps...

 

Hi

Thanks for sharing the valuable information. It helped :) 

 

I have another question if you can help with that as well. 

As per the 2.3.3.3 & 2.3.3.2 clause , Can you provide more insight for the requirements of the auditor for using 3rd party cold storage and distribution business- Does it have to be qualified auditor or the internal site auditor who is HAACP certified & have great knowledge of SQF code will also work? Do the internal auditor's requirement have to follow the clause 2.3.4.6 or 2.3.3.2?

 

2.3.3.2 The site shall establish a method to determine the food safety risk level of contract manufactured product and shall document the risk. The site shall ensure that: i. Products and processes of co-manufacturers that are considered high-risk have undergone an audit by the site or third-party agency to confirm compliance with the SQF Food Safety Code: Food Manufacturing and regulatory and customer requirements;

 

2.3.4.6 Supplier audits shall be based on risk (as determined in 2.3.4.2) and shall be conducted by individuals knowledgeable of applicable regulatory and food safety requirements and trained in auditing techniques.

I performed the audit back when I worked for the company that used the 3rd party storage facility.  And I was trained in internal auditing (took a course and have a certificate).  This worked fine for SQF.  I would say use the Practitioner (I was the Practitioner) to go audit as they would have the knowledge and the requirements to perform the audit on the 3rd party storage facility.