6 replies to this topic

[ChefKris]

Good afternoon and happy Friday everybody!

 

I'm wondering how you manage your record keeping for raw ingredients & packaging when using co-manufacturers.

 

Currently I am creating a version of my Production Logs and Packing Records specifically for the products that we are having produced by co-manufacturers.

 

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[cciarcia228]

Following 

[ParkerBarrowKJ]

I have been on both sides of the co-manufacturer relationship, and it has always been the responsibility of the co-manufacturer to have their own records for traceability. I have not seen the brand owner have full records of that information. 

 

Typically, I have seen that the co-manufacturer is approved by the brand owner through processes similar to supplier approval - i.e. ensure they have the required quality and food safety systems, which includes traceability at least one step forward and one step back. The brand owner should ensure that the co-man conducts traceability tests to meet their desired frequency (at least once a year). That can be through a mock recall / trace exercise or during a third-party audit. 

 

Even if you are purchasing the materials for the co-manufacturer, it should be their responsibility to track when they use them and store the records. If you find out from a supplier that a recall is needed, you should only have to pass that information along to the co-man and they can tell you what finished goods were produced and where they went. 

[ChefKris]

I have been on both sides of the co-manufacturer relationship, and it has always been the responsibility of the co-manufacturer to have their own records for traceability. I have not seen the brand owner have full records of that information. 

 

Typically, I have seen that the co-manufacturer is approved by the brand owner through processes similar to supplier approval - i.e. ensure they have the required quality and food safety systems, which includes traceability at least one step forward and one step back. The brand owner should ensure that the co-man conducts traceability tests to meet their desired frequency (at least once a year). That can be through a mock recall / trace exercise or during a third-party audit. 

 

Even if you are purchasing the materials for the co-manufacturer, it should be their responsibility to track when they use them and store the records. If you find out from a supplier that a recall is needed, you should only have to pass that information along to the co-man and they can tell you what finished goods were produced and where they went. 

I have verified and confirmed the co-mans programs and systems.

My concerns are in the event of a recall that I won't be able to execute it very quickly. There is a 4-5 hour time difference between this co-man and I would be more comfortable having the information readily available.

[GreyeagleA]

Our co manufacturer is treated as a service provider and in addition to signing our service provider agreement every year, we require them to provide us with a LoG as well as a current copy of their GFSI audit certificate. We have traceability and lot coding information from them on the spec sheets that they have provided for the products they produce and we request and review updated ones every two years.

[GMO]

I'd always just have one version of the truth and for that to be sitting with the coman. I'd work on how quickly that information can be retrieved (with them) by doing tests etc. But if you recreate something there is the risk of it being wrong and mistakes being made just because your information is out of date.

 

Most manufacturers should be doing a full trace in 4 hours and a quick "where's it gone" within 2 IMO. Often far quicker. In the event of a real situation, you often know the batch and so the latter information is what you need quickly.

[Tony-C]

Hi ChefKris,

 

I agree with GMO, even if you are supplying ingredients and packaging, it is normally the responsibility of the co-manufacturer to maintain traceability. You should be checking/testing their traceability systems on approval and periodically afterwards.

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony