6 replies to this topic

[jiachun91]

Hi all,

 

I'm looking for a SOP for Handling of Expired Raw Materials. 

 

Currently we have few raw materials were expired and stored in our warehouse. We have also asked our supplier to extend the shelf life if possible. Unfortunately they can't even extend further. Can we conduct microbiological tests and functionality test by ourselves in order to prolong its shelf life?

 

What is the general practices when the raw materials are expired? Dispose? Can anyone share me your SOP for Handling of Expired Raw Materials.

 

Please advise me on the following information.

 

Regards,

 

JC

[wbourg]

Perform a risk assessment. As a vendor I wouldn't extend a shelf life officially no matter what. That moves the risk from you to me. It is the responsibility of your quality or food safety team to make a decision. Some questions I always asked were:

 

What percent of the final product is this material used at? 

Are there micro concerns?

With age does the product lose flavor, or its ability to perform what it is supposed to? Think gassing power for yeast, micro control for preservatives, etc. 

I would also perform bench rework percentages that would say if I blended this old material with 50% new material it still has the same benefits. 

Storage conditions are also a big concern. 

 

There's a lot of different kind of risks in every raw material. Sit down with the food safety team and write them all down then assess if this will negatively effect the final product. 

[hello.fizz]

I agree that you should perform a risk assessment. As an example, we use table salt as an ingredient. The batch we has has expired according to the supplier's documentation, but we have assessed that we can still use it as it will perform the same function and not add any additional risks to our final product. 

[Tony-C]

Hi JC,

 

My questions would be:

1. What is the amount/value of this stock? and is it worth the effort to determine whether it is still usable?

2. Would any potential hazards be removed by your process? Where this is not the case, for example growth of Y&M producing toxins that would not be subsequently removed then you need to proceed with caution.

 

If the risk is minimal, checking the raw material vs. specification including microbiological tests and functionality tests for both the material and final product.

 

I would also be wanting to inspect the condition of the raw material and the packaging.

 

All of the above should be repeated regularly until all of the material has been used and all of you checks and actions documented.

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

[Charles.C]

Hi all,

 

I'm looking for a SOP for Handling of Expired Raw Materials. 

 

Currently we have few raw materials were expired and stored in our warehouse. We have also asked our supplier to extend the shelf life if possible. Unfortunately they can't even extend further. Can we conduct microbiological tests and functionality test by ourselves in order to prolong its shelf life?

 

What is the general practices when the raw materials are expired? Dispose? Can anyone share me your SOP for Handling of Expired Raw Materials.

 

Please advise me on the following information.

 

Regards,

 

JC

Hi jiachun,

 

Based on a few similar threads here, the basic answer to yr query is yes but with a variety of caveats since every material can be "different".

 

As per previous Posts, one basic requirement for a Shelf Life of a Finished Product is that it should comply with its (BCPA) Specification at end of its designated Shelf Life. You need to be able to validate that this element will also be satisfied for yr Ingredient.

 

Numerous Procedures for Shelf Life determination are available on this Forum often dependent on the material's Safety/Quality Usage specifics but many people find that unless you have appropriate, in-house, technical resources,  it's preferable to simply pay an accredited lab to do the job for you.

[EagleEye]

Hi,

 

I think expiry date on the material is officially saying that, it would not be ideal to use after that date by the producer of itself. Its absoluteness is always relative, though.

 

Some materials, as mentioned above - salt- are usually given a date for the regulatory satisfaction (we know!)

 

I have seen practices people usually do, the materials are checked for its suitability and after issue to production just before expiry, store it as an intermediate product until it uses in the very next production batch. Obviously this depend on the type of product and risks it associated with and many other varying concerns.

 

If you have a strict system based ERP that track quantity and movement of BOM and everything, the possibility of this method is questionable.

 

But after "Expiry" and everything is connected to ERP system, the material may has to "dispose" officially.

[Charles.C]

Hi,

 

I think expiry date on the material is officially saying that, it would not be ideal to use after that date by the producer of itself. Its absoluteness is always relative, though.

 

Some materials, as mentioned above - salt- are usually given a date for the regulatory satisfaction (we know!)

 

I have seen practices people usually do, the materials are checked for its suitability and after issue to production just before expiry, store it as an intermediate product until it uses in the very next production batch. Obviously this depend on the type of product and risks it associated with and many other varying concerns.

 

If you have a strict system based ERP that track quantity and movement of BOM and everything, the possibility of this method is questionable.

 

But after "Expiry" and everything is connected to ERP system, the material may has to "dispose" officially.

Hi EE,

 

Re ^^^(red) - Quality maybe, Safety NO. This is the BB/UB scenario.

(Unless Malaysia is more "forgiving").