7 replies to this topic

[PolystarMark]

Would many of you food companies be un-happy to have a packaging supplier accredited to FSSC2200 rather than BRC Packaging?

 

being a reasonably small company we can't have two quality managers, so I effectively can't take holiday for the 4 months of an unannounced audit.

In addition the yes no format of the audit gives a certain type of auditor plenty of scope to issue a CAR for the smallest of things. These small things can add up to a lost grade and millions of lost business! whilst not affecting food safety one iota. 

thoughts please 

[MDaleDDF]

As long as they're NSF, I don't really care.   Other opinions may vary.   I know some companies want to dig in, see the audit report, know about write ups and CARs.   I honestly don't care, as long as you pass.

[pHruit]

You're (OP) in the UK, so assuming your customers are also here in the UK, I'd expect them to have a preference for BRC. And potentially quite a strong preference at that.

 

You could always ask them, though?

Whilst many will understand the challenge of a small quality team vs. unannounced audits, you probably won't want to explicitly state this as the reason, so you could frame it as a general review of certification preferences to ensure that you are best aligned with the needs of your customers

If the results are neutral or leaning towards FSSC then you've got the answer you're looking for, but otherwise it might confirm that the UK does indeed prefer BRC...

 

I'm not sure how the scheduling works for FSSC22000 in terms of the audit "window" they give you, but don't forget that this also includes an unannounced audit within the three-year cycle, as that comes from same GFSI requirement that created the current BRC position.

[olenazh]

Some of my packaging suppliers are not even GFSI certified - so what? I regularly send them Supplier Questionnaire to complete. This way, I have evidence that all my suppliers are compliant to our corporate and regulatory requirements in terms of proper control of FSMS.

[pHruit]

Some of my packaging suppliers are not even GFSI certified - so what? I regularly send them Supplier Questionnaire to complete. This way, I have evidence that all my suppliers are compliant to our corporate and regulatory requirements in terms of proper control of FSMS.

I don't recall if you're at a BRC site at present?

The current Food standard makes it a pain to deal with packaging from non-GFSI sources.

A cynic might wonder if BRCGS designed it such that it forced food manufactures to push their packaging suppliers to undertake certification. Thankfully after many years in the food industry I've not yet developed any notable cynicism at all though

[olenazh]

I don't recall if you're at a BRC site at present?

The current Food standard makes it a pain to deal with packaging from non-GFSI sources.

A cynic might wonder if BRCGS designed it such that it forced food manufactures to push their packaging suppliers to undertake certification. Thankfully after many years in the food industry I've not yet developed any notable cynicism at all though

No, fortunately I'm under FSSC:) BRC is a nightmare to me!

[beautiophile]

As in the other side, most of our customers don't care if we have got BRC or FSSC2200 or SQF, etc. as long as it's GFSI. They brag more about prices.

[MDaleDDF]

As in the other side, most of our customers don't care if we have got BRC or FSSC2200 or SQF, etc. as long as it's GFSI. They brag more about prices.

Oh for sure.   Most of my customers want to walk with the big boys when it comes to having their product non gmo, all natural, etc.


Then they see the price and are like: