Flow Diagram Confirmation

In past places I've worked at we had tried to fit in all of the teams signatures on the Flow Diagram itself.  At my current place, I created a sign off sheet at the end that states: 'HACCP Plan approved and Flow Diagram confirmed by' and then lists the HACCP/Food Safety team and we sign.  During our audit this year the auditor questioned it and spent about 10 minutes discussing it.  Eventually they decided it was ok, but remarked that we really should have the signatures on the Flow Diagram.  This is for SQF certification.  Looking to see if anyone else has experienced this and should we just go back to signing the diagram or is how it currently is ok and we should just move on from the auditors comments?

The SQF code says: Each flow diagram shall be confirmed by the food safety team to cover all stages and hours of operation.  It doesn't state confirmation has to be on the diagram itself.  I then feel that what we have is sufficient and we shouldn't linger on the comment.  Thoughts?

We just have the HACCP team leader sign off on the flow charts, but do have the minutes from the meeting(s) when it was discussed and all in attendance were listed.

In past places I've worked at we had tried to fit in all of the teams signatures on the Flow Diagram itself.  At my current place, I created a sign off sheet at the end that states: 'HACCP Plan approved and Flow Diagram confirmed by' and then lists the HACCP/Food Safety team and we sign.  During our audit this year the auditor questioned it and spent about 10 minutes discussing it.  Eventually they decided it was ok, but remarked that we really should have the signatures on the Flow Diagram.  This is for SQF certification.  Looking to see if anyone else has experienced this and should we just go back to signing the diagram or is how it currently is ok and we should just move on from the auditors comments?

 

The SQF code says: Each flow diagram shall be confirmed by the food safety team to cover all stages and hours of operation.  It doesn't state confirmation has to be on the diagram itself.  I then feel that what we have is sufficient and we shouldn't linger on the comment.  Thoughts?

Hi Scotty,

Auditor nitpicking. Did you Score 99 ? :smile:

Hi Scotty_SQF,

The SQF Food Safety Code Edition 9 requirements are outlined in 2.4.3 Food Safety Plan (Mandatory) 2.4.3.6:

The food safety team shall develop and document a flow diagram covering the scope of each food safety plan. The flow diagram shall include every step in the process, all raw materials, packaging, service inputs (e.g., water, steam, gasses as applicable), scheduled process delays, and all process outputs including waste and rework. Each flow diagram shall be confirmed by the food safety team to cover all stages and hours of operation.

It doesn't state any expectations regarding the confirmation although previous guidance stated “The HACCP team leader must sign off on the flow diagram”.

I believe all the food safety team should be signing this off and own it collectively, to add to that the auditor requires proof that the flow diagram has been confirmed by the food safety team.

Names/Signatures/Date Table for the Team on the bottom of the Flow Diagram document stating they confirm the version of the flow diagram is correct is sufficient proof as far as I am concerned. I don’t see the need for a separate sheet as you will then need to ensure the correct revision number has been referenced/confirmed.

I’m sure you’ve got bigger fish to fry than worry about this though  :smile:

Kind regards,

Tony

Hi Tony,

I get yr ownership comment but from a documentation POV, it is maybe simpler that the Team Leader should be responsible for and authorised  to sign on behalf of the FS Team.

Just an opinion. :smile:

That's the beauty of SQF...it doesn't tell you how you have to do things; there are many ways to skin a cat.  You just need to provide enough explanation where the auditor feels comfortable you've met the code element.

I am going through the same thing at this very moment...in the midst of an SQF audit with an auditor questioning everything, but also saying "You have very good programs and procedures...".  You kind of can't have both....if you must question every little thing.  Audit time was 2.5 days per proposal and we are pushing into 3rd day and auditor nowhere close to finishing.  Absurd.  But hey...could be worse.

In both facilities I've worked at, we've had one signature page with all the team members.  Then the HACCP leader signs at the end of each section.
Haven't had an auditor question it yet.

I had an auditor do the same thing- so now we all sign the flow diagram every year.  Honestly it wasn't worth it to argue, and it was a quick fix.

I agree its over-reaching, but it is what it is.