2 replies to this topic

[U.S.Bev.QA]

Can someone clarify what is required for this element? We manufacture beverage concentrates for other companies and use customer-provided specifications for our products. However, I’m unsure what we are expected to document for “intended use,” since the customer already defines the product specifications. What exactly should we be presenting to the auditor to meet this requirement?

 

The intended use of each product shall be determined and documented by the food safety team. This shall include target consumer groups, the potential for consumption by vulnerable groups of the population, requirements for further processing if applicable, and potential alternative uses of the product.

 

[GMO]

Your intended use is as a beverage concentrate. So you would describe the need for dilution by x (and presumably the risks if not, e.g. if caffeinated), consumer groups would be children and adults, not intended for consumption by toddlers etc. Could be misused by parents giving to toddlers.

 

I'm sure others will add more but I'd consider both the direct customer and end consumer in this. As I think you're rightly assessing, the potential use and misuse is limited. It will be more complex for some other products.

 

There's more advice on the FAO website and also I really rate the UK FSA explanations on this. I think they're really helpful. Preparatory Stage F: Identify intended use of the product - MyHACCP

[Lynx42]

It's basically, who will be using it and/or how will it be used.

We have our intended use listed as: general public, manufacturers, retail establishments, restaurants. If you are making something that is specifically for infants, elderly, immune compromised, or for use only in hospital you would list that in each HACCP plan.

 

For beverage concentrates who gets it next and what will they do with it? Restaurants (If they will be using it in soda machines), manufacturers (If they will be further processing it), retail stores (if they will be selling it as is), general public (if they are buying it as is at a retail store and will be eventually consuming it but it's not specifically made for one targeted group).