How should the 4.6 IFS Broker requirement be implemented for outsourced water production?

Hello everyone!

I work in a plant where mineral water is produced. We have already implemented the IFS Food standard. We are currently in the process of implementing the IFS Broker standard, and this is where the problem arises. Our company outsources the production of still water to another plant. We provide everything, including infrastructure, water sources, knowledge, and technology—the process is outsourced. The water produced in this plant is labeled under our brand. We buy it and sell it to our customers. Occasionally, the finished product is only stored and shipped from our facility—in exceptional situations.

Until now, our Quality Team has been going to this plant and conducting a standard traceability test—from the finished product to the raw material and vice versa. I am not sure how to implement the 4.6 IFS Broker requirement now. Should I keep it as it was? Or should this identification be done differently?

 

Hi Nathalie2019,

The Broker requirements in 4.6 Traceability (including GMOs and allergens) are less stringent than section 4.18 Traceability of the Food Standard so your current system should be acceptable providing that you are capturing the additional storage and distribution activities at your facility.

Kind regards,

Tony

Thank you for response. I will do that :)

I have one more question How should I interpret requirement 4.6.4, which states that the traceability system must ensure full traceability for both own and customer-branded products from the last processing step to the delivery to the customer?