Hi Angie,
I believe it is a practical fact that most (all?) of the GFSI recognized FS Standards are assumed to be going to be implemented by non-small “Organisations”. Presumably related to the Scope of the Standards.
This does not mean that small groups are specifically excluded but the practicality of implementation, for example with respect to HACCP and the MS, is likely to relate to the “size/nature/complexity” of the actual process and its associated/documented control requirements.
Personally, when I started designing a FS system I initially located a potential CB and dumped questions like your minimum number on them. IMEX the mere scent of a potential, long-term, auditee client will readily generate free answers for one's specific situation. Plus the auditors should have met all such queries many times over.
There are several threads here discussing opportunities where very small QA/Production numbers exist and I can recall one case with, from memory, a solo QA member, but as per Simon’s post, this then mandated a co-opting of Plant Personnel into haccp related functions so as to generate a “team”. At the risk of over-pessimism, some potential trials / tribulations are visible in these post/threads –
http://www.ifsqn.com...tem/#entry83891
http://www.ifsqn.com...dit/#entry57839
As you can see, you are far from being on yr own. I should note there are some positive opinions here also, just couldn’t find them offhand.
I used the word “mandated” above to emphasise that one of the aspects considered critical to achieving a satisfactory FS system is (Top) Management Commitment (TMC). And one of the key functions (IMO) is for TMC to approve “Policies” for the FS System. (And Funding !).
I would suggest that your Policy No.1 is concerning the formation of a HACCP team. If TMC regarding this is not forthcoming, IMHO the Writing is on the Wall.