Costco addendum finding resulted in SQF deduction
We recently completed an unannounced SQF audit with a Costco addendum. During the audit, the auditor informed us that Costco and his CB were working together to 'trial' a new concept with the scoring. Any findings on the addendum would result in a deduction on your SQF score in the future. He said that we would be trialing it this year and that it may be implemented as a permanent addition next year. Those were his exact words. At the end of the audit, we learned that our Costco deduction resulted in a SQF deduction (Section 2.4.1.1). We could find no evidence of a change to the code; any reference to customer requirements in section 2.4.1.1, or reference to this type of scoring in any Costco documents or communications, nor could the auditor. We argued the point to no avail and are now in the process of appealing it.
Please let me know if you have any relevant information for this alleged change.
What was the nature of the non-conformance in the Costco addendum? If it was marked off for your audit as part of 2.4.1.1, how was it worded in the report?
who is your CB?
What exactly was caught during the costco addendum? Most things should have been caught during the regular audit---with perhaps the exception of the "no hands policy" that costco specifically has
Our unannounced SQF/Costco audit was in April and no such thing even hinted at
I would argue this one all day long-all the way to SQFI (ask to speak with Leanne Chubboff)
hmmm. Are you sure it was 2.4.1.1. and not 2.1.1.1? 2.1.1.1 kinda illudes to following customer food safety requirements.
Contact SQFI directly concerning this.
There can no side deals.
Contact the CB and inform them you want this bullshit in writing.
They will not be able to provide it.
Then watch the dance.
Thanks for posting this for me to be aware of, as all 7 of my facilities are on unannounced schedules this year.
Nope. There are no "side trials" unless it is previously authorized beforehand.
If they didn't find an issue within SQF Ed 9 code, how can they deduct a point? I'd love to see the justification of the point deduction: "Costco doesn't like it so we decided to take a point too" ??? Someone at your CB is riding a new Harley for that one! SQF might just delist that CB too!
We recently completed an unannounced SQF audit with a Costco addendum. During the audit, the auditor informed us that Costco and his CB were working together to 'trial' a new concept with the scoring. Any findings on the addendum would result in a deduction on your SQF score in the future. He said that we would be trialing it this year and that it may be implemented as a permanent addition next year. Those were his exact words. At the end of the audit, we learned that our Costco deduction resulted in a SQF deduction (Section 2.4.1.1). We could find no evidence of a change to the code; any reference to customer requirements in section 2.4.1.1, or reference to this type of scoring in any Costco documents or communications, nor could the auditor. We argued the point to no avail and are now in the process of appealing it.
Please let me know if you have any relevant information for this alleged change.
Hi gaardendan,
SQF Food Safety Code: Food Manufacturing, Edition 9
2.4.1 Food Legislation (Mandatory)
Requirement is: 2.4.1.1 The site shall ensure that at the time of delivery to customers finished products shall comply with food safety legislation applicable in the country of manufacture and sale. This includes compliance with legislative requirements applicable to maximum residue limits, food safety, packaging, product description, net weights, nutritional, allergen, and additive labeling, labeling of identity preserved foods, any other criteria listed under food legislation, and to relevant established industry codes of practice.
I fail to see how you can have an SQF non-conformance if the auditor found that your products complied with food safety legislation?
Either way you are doing the right thing by appealing. The process should work, I have previous had a major non-conformance removed on appeal (over-zealous auditor).
Kind regards,
Tony
To make this situation worse, I just went through our Costco addendum questions and NONE of them relate to 2.4.1, not even close as a matter of fact
Do you mind sharing the section of the addendum that they claimed you had a non conformance in?
Also----perhaps reaching out to Costco might be in order-----they want what they want they way they want it, the data is no good to them is CBs are "adjusting" scoring without consulting them