10 replies to this topic

[souswes]

Greetings!

   I am in a new position and tasked with the responsibility of building and implementing a GFSI scheme. I am focusing on SQF Level 2 for now. We are a seafood wholesaler and distributor. some product is filleted in house, most is just sold whole and shipped out of state. Additionally, we have several frozen products that come in and go out. 

 

From what I can tell, I just need to focus on modules 2 and 9. Is this correct? On a somewhat related note, does anyone use a supplier approval checklist for disposable and janitorial products? Some stuff we just grab from home-depot tbh. We are a low risk facility and everything is intended to be processed or cooked further. 

 

Thanks in advance for help with either issue!

[Scampi]

Raw fish that you are filleting is NOT low risk ---sorry

 

Sounds to me like your going to have to be certified and audited against food manufacturing AND storage/distribution

 

Does the facility have any sort of food safety plan now?  Are you new to food safety or just new to this employer?

[souswes]

Raw fish that you are filleting is NOT low risk ---sorry

 

Sounds to me like your going to have to be certified and audited against food manufacturing AND storage/distribution

 

Does the facility have any sort of food safety plan now?  Are you new to food safety or just new to this employer?

Well that's a shame about the low-risk. Luckily it's the most well equipped part of the facility.

 

The only plan in place is a HACCP system...which i'm on the edge of re-working. Food safety in this capacity is somewhat new. I've been a certified food safety manager for years and am familiar with larger retailer food safety systems. This is a small, but long-standing company looking to open doors through certification. 

[SQFconsultant]

I don't know how you can say your facility is low risk when you are dealing with fish, seafood specialties,. etc.

 

No, this is high risk. 

 

Having a number of clients in your industry that also do lots of pass thru and a little filet work your facility may need to be certified under two codes - one for storage and distribution and the other for manufacturing.

 

Sometimes depending on percentage of the processes you may just have 2&9 but it sounds more like you'll need to add another.

 

I suggest you skip off the shelf buying and find yourself a good sanitation company that has seafood interfacing  experience but can deal with low usage - zep comes to mind. 

[souswes]

I don't know how you can say your facility is low risk when you are dealing with fish, seafood specialties,. etc.

 

No, this is high risk. 

 

Having a number of clients in your industry that also do lots of pass thru and a little filet work your facility may need to be certified under two codes - one for storage and distribution and the other for manufacturing.

 

Sometimes depending on percentage of the processes you may just have 2&9 but it sounds more like you'll need to add another.

 

I suggest you skip off the shelf buying and find yourself a good sanitation company that has seafood interfacing  experience but can deal with low usage - zep comes to mind. 

Thanks for the clarification and recommendations! GFSI Schemes are a newer process to me. I was under the assumption that because we do not produce RTE items and everything is intended for further processing I was a low-risk. That seems silly looking at it now. 

[kfromNE]

Thanks for the clarification and recommendations! GFSI Schemes are a newer process to me. I was under the assumption that because we do not produce RTE items and everything is intended for further processing I was a low-risk. That seems silly looking at it now. 

 

 

 

 

For the FDA - the criteria used below is how they determine if a facility is high risk or not. The primary factor being the risk associated with the item. So a RTE barbecue sauce with a low pH - low risk. I started in the retail/food service side before entering into food manufacturing food safety. Similar but very different. You'll catch on. 

 

 "(1) the food safety risk associated with the commodity (the type of food), (2) the manufacturing process, and (3) the compliance history of the facility"

[Scampi]

Retail food safety and commercial/industrial are vastly different

 

I hope the companies time line for certification is a year from now, you have your work cut out for you

[souswes]

Retail food safety and commercial/industrial are vastly different

 

I hope the companies time line for certification is a year from now, you have your work cut out for you

I'm hoping for August of next year. I know I have a lot to do. I've been at it for a few months building compliant policies and supporting documentation, building food culture within the team and slowly getting them used to my audits. It's a 37 year old business I had to introduce the concept of hairnets and overcoats to.  I came across a post earlier on raw and pasteurized honey in which the poster was audited for module 11 additionally. I wanted to check on that as I grind through module 2. 

[lucho]

Another seafood SQF'er!  Nice!   We should exchange ideas as I'm also going to set up the facility's SQF plan.  

[jfrey123]

I don't think you'll need the Storage and Distribution module stacked atop of the Animal Product Manufacturing.  SQF describes the Storage and Distribution model as:

FSC 26 - Storage and Distribution

 

Applies to dedicated distribution centers, warehouses, and transport operators involved in the receipt, storage, consolidation, and distribution of perishable fresh produce and general food lines, including chilled, frozen, dry goods, stable or pre-processed and packaged foods, and/or food intended for further preparation by the consumer at wholesale level.

Example of Products: Includes all transportation, storage, and delivery of perishable and shelf-stable foods sold through markets, retail, and foodservice facilities. Includes transportation, storage, and delivery of all varieties of fresh unprocessed fruit, vegetable, and nut products.

 

Because you do process and repack, you aren't a "dedicated" distribution center.  The product you don't process on-site can be covered under the FSC 9 for Animal Product Manufacturing, just create a HACCP plan that reflects some items come in and go out without repacking by your staff (I've done this exactly for several spice companies, no issue with auditors).

 

As for FSC 9, you'll end up with modules 2 and 9 under the SQF code.

 

I did find this new (new to me at least) tool on SQF's website.  You can check all that apply and do a search, and it will tell you what FSC best suits your business:

SQFI | Code Selector

[souswes]

 

I don't think you'll need the Storage and Distribution module stacked atop of the Animal Product Manufacturing.  SQF describes the Storage and Distribution model as:

FSC 26 - Storage and Distribution

 

Applies to dedicated distribution centers, warehouses, and transport operators involved in the receipt, storage, consolidation, and distribution of perishable fresh produce and general food lines, including chilled, frozen, dry goods, stable or pre-processed and packaged foods, and/or food intended for further preparation by the consumer at wholesale level.

Example of Products: Includes all transportation, storage, and delivery of perishable and shelf-stable foods sold through markets, retail, and foodservice facilities. Includes transportation, storage, and delivery of all varieties of fresh unprocessed fruit, vegetable, and nut products.

 

Because you do process and repack, you aren't a "dedicated" distribution center.  The product you don't process on-site can be covered under the FSC 9 for Animal Product Manufacturing, just create a HACCP plan that reflects some items come in and go out without repacking by your staff (I've done this exactly for several spice companies, no issue with auditors).

 

As for FSC 9, you'll end up with modules 2 and 9 under the SQF code.

 

I did find this new (new to me at least) tool on SQF's website.  You can check all that apply and do a search, and it will tell you what FSC best suits your business:

SQFI | Code Selector

 

Fantastic information. Thanks so much for taking the time to respond!