Bottled water used as an ingredient: what SQF documentation should we have on file?

Hi, we switched suppliers for our delivered 5-gal bottled water jugs. What documentation will be required to have on hand for our SQF audit? 

I currently only have a long water quality testing report from an outside lab for the spring where it was bottled. Our previous supplier was a larger distributor, and we have a 3rd party audit, a dept of health certificate, and another lab test or COA for one of the shipments.

We have well water, and I am not 100% clear on why it's not safe for drinking (most likely the chlorine used to treat it?), but we bring in bottled water for employees to drink and for the occasional product we make requiring water. So since it's used occasionally as an ingredient, I assume we would need particular documentation for it. Any guidance appreciated, thanks!

They need to go through your supplier approval program and a risk level assigned         You should get a CoA for each lot you receive that it meets drinking water standards for your area

when did you last check your well water?

They would have to go thru your Approved Supplier program, audited, etc. just like all your other suppliers + water testing and of course migration testing on the (assumed) plastic 5-gallon jugs.

We are dropping another deep well in March and have the first one and this one on schedule to get tested every quarter - the water still goes thru a nice organic filter system and that gets tested every 3 months as well.

On an island the wells go super deep here.

Hi ewalsh224,

As per the posts by Scampi & Glenn, as you are using the water as an ingredient you will need to approve your supplier based on the requirements of the SQF Food Safety Code: Food Manufacturing Section 2.3.4 Approved Supplier Program which is mandatory (note you will need agreed specifications).

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.

The water from your well needs to comply with Sections 11.5.1 Water Supply, 11.5.2 Water Treatment and 11.5.3 Water Quality. The main requirement is:

11.5.1.1 Adequate supplies of potable water drawn from a known clean source shall be provided for water used as an ingredient during processing operations and for cleaning the premises and equipment. The source of potable water shall be identified as well as on-site storage (if applicable) and reticulation within the facility.

Kind regards,

Tony