Hi INTer,
I think what you are doing is fine but would add a few days before disposal of your products in case there is slow communication of an issue and you want to refer to the sample for investigation purposes. Ideally you want customer agreement on any retention period.
I agree with previous comments from olenazh, Setanta, Charles and AJL, also note BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 9 Clause 5.6.3:
The site shall ensure that a system of validation and ongoing verification of the shelf life is in place. This shall be based on risk and shall include sensory analysis and, as applicable, microbiological testing and relevant chemical factors such as pH and aw. Records and results from shelf-life tests shall verify the shelf-life period indicated on the product.
BRCGS Interpretation Guidelines - Shelf-life verification:
Shelf-life testing may be critical to product safety; for example, where the product is susceptible to the growth of pathogens. Therefore, after the initial shelf life is determined (see clause 5.1.4), the site is expected to have a programme of ongoing shelf-life validation and verification across its range of products or product types. To achieve this, samples should be retained from some or all production runs.
Records must be available supporting the declared shelf life for each product or group of similar products.
Kind regards,
Tony
Edited by Tony-C, 22 March 2023 - 04:36 AM.