Are SQF Package Requirements Necessary for Product Development?

Is what is in the SQF package actually required for product development or can it be toned down significantly?  

As long as you satisfy the code requirements, you should be fine. What is in that part of the code that seems too much?

The mandatory sections are marked in the SQF code "(Mandatory)".  Most elements are worded generally enough to allow some interpretation when it comes to fulfilling them.

Is what is in the SQF package actually required for product development or can it be toned down significantly?  

Hi irheavyd,

We will be able to help you with that. The IFSQN SQF Food Safety Management System Implementation Packages contain best practices for product development, they may not all be needed depending on the amount of development you do on site.

I have sent you a message with my contact details. Our packages come with technical support so free to contact me if you have any questions regarding the package in the future.

Kind regards,

Tony

For the packaging company I worked at we didn't develop any packaging.  All our packaging we purchased was mono layered and we did nothing but cut it down.  So we didn't develop anything.  So my product development plan simply stated this and documented the process, for example: customer requests film, we reach out to suppliers, provide a sample and customer makes determination if film works for their application.  Basically, yes the element is mandatory, but you may not need an actual plan, so document how your process works and why there would not be any true product development.

Now in saying that, if you are printing, laminating, making pouch, or reconfiguring or manipulating the packaging to change it's form, there would have to be some sort of product development and thus you need to document the SOP and how this is handled.