3 replies to this topic

[Carol88]

Hi All

I'm looking for info on the SQF scope. We process & pack citrus and also have co packers of citrus. My question is if we go down the path of having co packers of table grapes not on our site do we have to change our scope to include table grapes or can we have them contained and monitored under our co packers and leave them off our scope.

 

I have searched for info but all I can find is in the SQF manual it says certification is site specific as well as product specific, but the product has to be included under our SQF certification but that is site specific and the grapes will be packed by approved grower/supplier but sold under our name which makes us liable for the finished product.

 

any help would be gratefully accepted. 

Cheers Carol

[SQFconsultant]

If they are contract packers (under  your label) you would include the grapes in  you scope and of course that company would either need to be SQF or similar GFSI scheme or at the very least meet all the reqiurements that  you do 

 

For instance our greenhouse/containment operation with 15 types of sprouts being produced will be SQF and Joe's Greenhouse does 3 more that we want to include, so they will be packing under our label, and certified under SQF for this operation.

[jfrey123]

As Primary Plant Producers, does your scope cover fruits in general or is it narrowly construed to only the fruits your site produces?  Honest question, as for the hundreds of suppliers I deal with in fruit and veg, I've only seen SQF farm audits a handful of times.

 

This would be a great question for your SQF certifying body:  if your packing operations are included in the primary plant production scope, then I imagine they'd need to know if you're broadly expanding into other fruits.  But if your packinghouse operation is audited separately, then you're likely justified to bring in other fruits from other farms so long as your HACCP and PC charts incorporate the risk analysis.

[Carol88]

Hi, on our certificate is Fresh Produce, Grain & Nut, packhouse operations and then all our citrus products are listed. packhouse is audited under our certification and that is what makes me think that table grapes should just come under our approved supplier program as a 3rd party packer/co packer.

 

I have already sent my question off to SQF certifying body and I am waiting for a reply.

 

thanking you on letting me know your thoughts