3 replies to this topic

[DEF.Safefood]

If we purchase from an SQF certified distributor, do we need the certificates for each of the individual manufacturer's they distribute or will their supplier approval process be considered sufficient?

[jfrey123]

Depends on who you ask and how you wrote your program.  If this distributor is selling you the goods directly (they took ownership, it's their private brand, whatever), then a LoG and a copy of their supplier approval program will pass muster from a traceability standpoint (one step forward, one step back).  If your SOP requires that your company only buy GFSI scoped items from GFSI compliant manufacturers, the LoG and copy of their supplier program can be sufficient.

 

But I have had SQF auditors want to see our justification and assessment of the manufacturer.  Example:  we order peanut butter cups from a distributor; they source them from a company that rhymes with Riff, but we can't meet the minimums to order directly from Riff.  Common knowledge is that Riff has other allergens in their manufacturing plants, and it's up to us to determine whether there is a risk of cross-contamination by using their cups.  Distributors are sometimes good at helping bridge the gap to larger manufacturers when you need this info, other times distributors could care less and won't help you.

[Tony-C]

Hi DEF.Safefood,

 

An interesting question for your first post on the IFSQN forums, this will depend on whether you are a food manufacturer or distributing/selling the product.

 

If you are a food manufacturer then you need to comply with SQF Food Safety Code: Food Manufacturing, Edition 9 requirements which are outlined in 2.3.4 Approved Supplier Program (Mandatory) and in particular:

‘2.3.4.2 The approved supplier program shall be based on the past performance of a supplier and the risk level of the raw materials, ingredients, processing aids, packaging, and services supplied, and shall contain at a minimum:

i. Agreed specifications (refer to 2.3.2);

ii. Reference to the level of risk applied to raw materials, ingredients, packaging, and services from the approved supplier;

iii. A summary of the food safety controls implemented by the approved supplier;

iv. Methods for granting approved supplier status;

v. Methods and frequency of monitoring approved suppliers;

vi. Details of the certificates of conformance, if required; and

vii. Methods and frequency of reviewing approved supplier performance and status.’

 

Presumably your distributor is certified to SQF Food Safety Code: Storage and Distribution, Edition 9 and this does not require the level of scrutiny of suppliers that food manufacturers require as it primary specifies addressing storage and transportation conditions:

 

2.3 Specifications and Supplier Approval

2.3.1 Product for Storage and Distribution

2.3.1.1 Product handling and storage requirements for all products received, stored, and intended for distribution, shall be documented, current, approved by the site and their customer (if applicable), accessible to relevant staff, and include temperature requirements, storage conditions, packaging requirements, and handling and transportation conditions.

2.3.2 Supplier Approval and Incoming Supplies

2.3.2.1 The methods and responsibility for developing and approving product descriptions shall be documented. Product descriptions for all incoming supplies used by the site but not intended for distribution, including, but not limited to hazardous chemicals, ice, food packaging materials, or janitorial supplies that are used on-site and impact on product safety shall be documented and kept current.

 

Clearly your SQF certified distributor will have not carried out the level of supplier assessment and approval that food manufacturers require and so their certificate alone would not be sufficient for the items that food manufacturers are purchasing unless they are low risk and can be assessed prior to use.

 

As a minimum, I would expect the supplier approval process of food manufacturers to require certificates (SQF or GFSI benchmarked equivalent) for individual manufacturers for all items purchased; to validate those certificates are current, include the items purchased within the scope of the certification and consider what tests & inspections were required on receipt of the items.

 

For approval of suppliers of items regarded as high-risk further measures may need to be considered.

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

[DEF.Safefood]

Thank you for your expertise. It seems we are doing some redundant efforts.  I have not had an issue with the distributor providing the documentation as requested so far. 

 

But if they purchase from a new to me supplier within their established supply chain, I see will need to approve them also.  

 

Thanks again.