GFSI implementation when the processing plant is in the warehouse-distribution center

Hello, 

 

I have a question about GFSI implementation when the processing plant is in the warehouse/distribution center.

 

So, in our facility there is a meat processing plant as well as offices, warehouse, and distribution center. Currently we are GMP audited under USDA guidelines in the processing department and under FDA guidelines in the warehouse. 

 

As we start implementing BRC or SQF in the processing plant, would this also apply to our warehouse? (the BRC or SQF code) or can that stay under the GMP FDA audit?

 

Thank you!

Welcome!
I think if they are in the same building, you will want to get them both under one GFSI umbrella, for uniformities sake.

You can isolate a specific "section" of your facility to the scope of the certification, however as Setanta has mentioned it wouldn't hurt you to include the entire facility. Although the cost is greater, it will give your company more flexibility to grow in processing, marketing, and compliance.

 

 

While you could "maybe" isolate the warehouse/dc and not include it in scope by how you describe the locations of evwrything you either will have one cert for food processing and warehouse or one for processing and another one for warehouse/dc.

To me and based on ecperience with simulars I think you have one cert covering everything unless there is an imbalance where your dc is over 50% of volume such as passing thru many other items.

Regardless, there is no way you are going to be able to exclude the warehouse from the cert and may have 2 certs.

Hello, 

 

I have a question about GFSI implementation when the processing plant is in the warehouse/distribution center.

 

So, in our facility there is a meat processing plant as well as offices, warehouse, and distribution center. Currently we are GMP audited under USDA guidelines in the processing department and under FDA guidelines in the warehouse. 

 

As we start implementing BRC or SQF in the processing plant, would this also apply to our warehouse? (the BRC or SQF code) or can that stay under the GMP FDA audit?

 

Thank you!

 

Which parts need which certifications depends more on your customers or potential customers than anything else.  I would expect it to be preferable that the entire facility be GFSI certified if you're going to go that route.

 

Does the part USDA part FDA inspected mean that you have a finished good with a very low percentage of a meat ingredient you process on site?  Or is all the USDA processed material stored off-site?

Which parts need which certifications depends more on your customers or potential customers than anything else.  I would expect it to be preferable that the entire facility be GFSI certified if you're going to go that route.

 

Does the part USDA part FDA inspected mean that you have a finished good with a very low percentage of a meat ingredient you process on site?  Or is all the USDA processed material stored off-site?

We further process meat in our USDA regulated plant which account for approximately 5% of our business (the rest is box in box out for Foodservice (95%).

 

My goal is to implement a GFSI recognized standard in processing (at least initially) before implementing in the rest of the facility. Currently the customer asking for GFSI is just purchasing out of processing.

 

Hope this sheds more light on the topic, thank you!