5 replies to this topic

[NorCalNate]

We recently had our SQF audit and passed with our only NC being that the auditor found a non-food grade chemical in our food-grade chemical closet. I'm starting the CAPA process for final resolution of this NC and wanted to create and laminate a sign at the food-grade closet defining how to determine if something is food-grade.

 

From my understanding, it seems the primary ways to identify this are if the product has "Food Grade" designation or has an "NSF" declaration on the product. Is this assumption correct? Are there other methods of identifying an item's Food Grade designation? Due to the importance of this topic it seems like there should be a standardized document on this subject, though so far I haven't been able to find one.

[Brothbro]

It may be easier to instead define precisely which chemicals should be stored in which areas via some kind of roster. The chemicals you're using are already vetted by management anyway, it seems a big ask to require operators to determine whether things are "food-grade" or not on the fly. Much easier for them to reference a list of specific chemicals and where they should be stored vs others.

[NorCalNate]

I'm also doing this for the Maintenance Supervisor who purchases these products. This has been a recurring theme and I'm trying to squash the issue at it's root by providing the Maintenance Supervisor and Operations Manager the tools for determining if a product is food-grade or not. 

 

I agree that creating a list of all food-grade products would be ideal, though I want them to also be able to figure out if something is food-grade in case somehow a non-food grade product got placed in the food-grade cabinet. 

[Scotty_SQF]

How about train your maintenance staff on what should be where, put it in your Chemical control policy that each new chemical brought in must be vetted through you and you then tell them which cabinet it should be in.  Maybe the sign should say Food Grade chemicals, If unsure if this is one, please contact QA or something similar.  

 

Make sure you have a preventative action which could easily be adding inspection of cabinets for compliance to your facility inspection list or internal audit.

[jfrey123]

Hard to have a uniform standard for all due to so many variables in production environments.  Very few of us are lucky enough to have an ideal setup, so we find something that works for our plants.

 

I like the idea others have presented where the food grade chemical cabinets/locations have a roster of what should be in there, that's a nearly fool proof way to ensure the right stuff stays where it should.  Best practice would be to do it for the non-food chemical cabinets too, otherwise you'll have the chance someone gets lazy and throws the food grade stuff in the non-food cabinet.  If you've got any internal audits or food safety walk type checklists, wouldn't be a bad idea to add verifying the cabinet inventory to your such a checklist.

 

Getting the maintenance guys to play ball and stick to approved purchasing lists is...  Well, if you figure out a fool proof way to do that, be sure to come back and let us all know 

Edited by jfrey123, 26 September 2023 - 08:01 PM.

[Scampi]

You determine it's food grade by following your approved supplier program-------------if maintenance doesn't want to bother, then they need to tell someone else what they need and they buy it for them

 

NSF certification is not just for food grade products

What Is NSF Certification?

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Millions of people take the safety of their food, water and consumer products for granted on a daily basis. Why? Because of three letters: NSF. NSF certification is your key to making sure that the products you use meet strict standards for public health protection.

Choosing a product certified by NSF lets you know the company complies with strict standards and procedures imposed by NSF. From extensive product testing and material analyses to unannounced plant inspections, every aspect of a product's development is thoroughly evaluated before it can earn our certification.

Most importantly, NSF certification is not a one-time event, but involves regular on-site inspections of manufacturing facilities and regular re-testing of products to ensure that they continue to meet the same high standards required to maintain certification over time. If for any reason a product fails to meet one or more certification criteria, NSF will take enforcement actions to protect you, including product recall, public notification or de-certification.

Products that earn NSF certification are said to be “NSF certified” or “NSF listed” and display the applicable NSF certification mark to show that they have been tested by one of today’s most respected independent product testing organizations.