6 replies to this topic

[lucho]

In our operation we may weigh out 100 cases a day.  A case is weighed and the label is generated for that specific case.  Next box gets weighed, a new label is generated specifically for that case.  Labels are not preprinted for large scale production runs.  Each case gets labeled as it gets weighed.   All 100 labels will be different to account for different types of meat, net weights.  

 

How would one create product changeover and label reconciliation records in this situation?  

[Scampi]

I would do a risk assessment for reconciliation explaining your process and therefor not a risk that needs managing

 

As to changeovers, would need a little more information on your process to be of help

[lucho]

I would do a risk assessment for reconciliation explaining your process and therefor not a risk that needs managing

 

As to changeovers, would need a little more information on your process to be of help

 

Thanks Scampi.  We are working with various types of seafood.  Swordfish will get filleted, weighed and label printed out.  Next can be tuna, weighed and label printed out.  Etc.  The risk is virtually 0 that the wrong label will get printed.  The products are not going direct to consumer.  Will be further processed/cooked by our buyers then to the end consumer.  

[Scampi]

Got it,

 

So you don't "manufacture" anything, you just cut and wrap different species of fish

 

assuming you've only got fish, and not seafood or mollusks, no allergen risk either you should be able to write a statement regarding your process viewed in a "changeover " lens 

[Tony-C]

Hi Lucho,

 

This relates to SQF Food Safety Code Clause 2.6.1.2:

Procedures shall be implemented to ensure that label use is reconciled and any inconsistencies investigated and resolved.

Product changeover and label reconciliation records shall be maintained.

 

So label use is reconciled with expected use, but this is not relevant in your case as you are “printing live labels”. This clause is generally for sites that use pre-printed labels whether by a supplier or pre-printed on site.

 

I would still suggest that your procedures include verification of any information or printed on the label at this stage. This would mean at least 2 people cross-checking the label and signing it off as correct. Assuming that you set up each product on the printer and then the only difference is the weight, then your verification checks should be at the start and at the end of each set of product boxes. It may be as simple as checking the label has the correct product name, description and user instructions such as storage conditions.

 

It may also be a good idea to have someone check the pallet afterwards to confirm the labelling is correct as well (everything on the label with the exception of the weight).

 

FYI there is an SQF Edition 9 Guidance Document for Label Reconciliation:

 

 Label-Reconciliation.docx.pdf   153.59KB   26 downloads

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

 

 

[lucho]

Got it,

 

So you don't "manufacture" anything, you just cut and wrap different species of fish

 

assuming you've only got fish, and not seafood or mollusks, no allergen risk either you should be able to write a statement regarding your process viewed in a "changeover " lens 

 

We do have shellfish as well, but those are kept separately.   Thank you for your help!

[lucho]

Hi Lucho,

 

This relates to SQF Food Safety Code Clause 2.6.1.2:

Procedures shall be implemented to ensure that label use is reconciled and any inconsistencies investigated and resolved.

Product changeover and label reconciliation records shall be maintained.

 

So label use is reconciled with expected use, but this is not relevant in your case as you are “printing live labels”. This clause is generally for sites that use pre-printed labels whether by a supplier or pre-printed on site.

 

I would still suggest that your procedures include verification of any information or printed on the label at this stage. This would mean at least 2 people cross-checking the label and signing it off as correct. Assuming that you set up each product on the printer and then the only difference is the weight, then your verification checks should be at the start and at the end of each set of product boxes. It may be as simple as checking the label has the correct product name, description and user instructions such as storage conditions.

 

It may also be a good idea to have someone check the pallet afterwards to confirm the labelling is correct as well (everything on the label with the exception of the weight).

 

FYI there is an SQF Edition 9 Guidance Document for Label Reconciliation:

 

Label-Reconciliation.docx.pdf

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

 

Thanks Tony!  A lot of what you wrote is already done in our process, however the documentation of it is not.   

 

We have a person printing the live label and passing that label along with the fish to the packager.   The packager/icer boxes the fish and applies the label.   Product moves to the shipping dock, where the drivers check the label to ensure it is getting on the correct route.  

 

The difficulty of it all is documenting that all of that is being done in real time.