Major Non Conformance for Missing 3rd Party Calibration for Thermometer

Hello.
Are there someone who received a major non-conformance for missing a 3rd party calibration for a thermometer?
Thank you.

What is a "3rd party calibration?"

I would assume it refers to a calibration by a certified company (and not an internal calibration by the food business using the thermometer)

At almost every audit, I have been asked if we have sent out our thermometer for calibration, I presumed we'd get a minor if that we had not. What standard are you being audited against?

Is the thermometer used for calibrating a thermometer you are using to check a CCP? Or used to calibrate a cooler that has food that must be at 40F or less? Those are the only scenarios I can think for from my experience.  

Is the thermometer used for calibrating a thermometer you are using to check a CCP? Or used to calibrate a cooler that has food that must be at 40F or less? Those are the only scenarios I can think for from my experience.  

 

That's the scenario I'm imagining.  A thermal CCP and no records for the thermometer. 

 

A calibration would seem to imply a bimetal coil or equivalent physical instrument.

Hello.
Are there someone who received a major non-conformance for missing a 3rd party calibration for a thermometer?
Thank you.

 

Hi Jeffrifermin,

 

A non-conformance yes, but not a major. More questions, than answers I’m afraid as more information would be useful.

 

What is the thermometer monitoring/used to check?

 

Calibration methods and frequency should be documented for all available measuring, test, and inspection equipment, have you complied with this?

 

Has the thermometer ever been calibrated.

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

If that thermometer is being used for a preventive control/ critical control point then it could equate to a major if you are not verifying the temperatures accuracy for doing any internal or external calibration it. 

If that thermometer is being used for a preventive control/ critical control point then it could equate to a major if you are not verifying the temperatures accuracy for doing any internal or external calibration it.

Or if a minor had already been issued for this non-conformance.

I've always gotten by with having the original certificate from the thermometer manufacturer.  If that features an expiration, or the manufacturer states it should be recalibrated within a certain timeframe, then I'd say one should have that calibration performed (likely having it sent back to the manufacturer) or purchasing a new one.  Same for any probe devices used with the thermometer: should have a guarantee from the manufacturer, and if your verifications show they are out of spec, discarded for new.

 

If the thermometer is utilized as part of a CCP, and is outside of it's calibration, I can see an auditor pushing it for a major finding.