Delayed Notification of a Recall to CB – What Are the Consequences?

Good morning folks,

from time to time we pick procedures for an open discussion about the insights. So last week we got the process for recall and communications. At some point we asked, what might happen when notifying the CB about a recall, but after some weeks or months and still in between the certification audits. Just imagine a recall, may nobody's health harmed, everybody is informed and involved (authorities, distributors, customers, public...), goods back to warehouse and disposed. Also rest of process might be handled the way it should be. So in this long list of informed people only the cb left out, what might happen?

1.2.6 says notification in 3 days. But what happens, when later? cb gets angry and cuts certificate or do they just notice, nothing happens until next audit to check procedure?

Thank you for some discussions on this and have a good week.

kr

Robert

I suspect non conformance on your next audit.

I was in the slightly destressing situation of a public recall DURING a BRCGS audit.  Not IFS but I suspect, similar in approach.  I informed the auditor, got someone in who knew more (it was annoying a group issue not a site one) and then followed the process to "officially" inform the CB.  

On the next audit due to the timing I had to go through all of it again and by that point with our full RCA.  They did check evidence that we'd officially informed them.

I doubt it would be a reason not to certify if there was no food safety implications (you did everything else right) but it could be a non conformance at a significant level.  So could lower your score.

I do not know the process for IFS.

I am however quite familiar with non-compliance on SQF for recall notification or other significant food safety events.

Notification failure within the time-frame required can result in suspension of the SQF Cert.

 

Notification failure within the time-frame required can result in suspension of the SQF Cert.

Under SQF if they only found out about it in the next audit, would that also result in suspension or would the audit continue?

Part of your mock recall procedure should include notifying the CB, and you should use the mock recall as an opportunity to verify the contact you have is correct.

It's probably worth creating a flow chart that is part of your recall procedure so that no one is missed

Dear Robert,

If a company does not inform the Certification Body on time, it is expected from the IFS that there will be at least a deviation during the next IFS recertification audit.

The score will be depending on the seriousness of the recall and if only the CB is not informed, or if the total recall was not performed. It can also be observed that it is a structural failure, which will lead to a Major Non-Conformity.

For all reported recalls (delayed or not) the CB is obligated to review the case. If the case is not clear or the case is related to a non fullfillment of an IFS requirement or the case is related to a major outbreak with many injured or even death, the CB can (is expected to) suspend or withdrawn the certificate.
It needs no explanation that a company causing such a major outbreak can not be GFSI benchmarked certificated, without any actions.