I am in a USDA inspected facility which has no size requirements for metal detection standards (accept that the process is validated, and effective for the size products) Recently the facility had points taken away on question 11.7.6.2 of the SQF 8.1 standard because it did not meet the FDA size standard of 7 mm. (my facility has been using 8mm for years) I am looking for anyone who may have had to appeal a question such as this, and what documentation or evidence would support the decision to use 8mm instead of the 7mm. The argument that the USDA doesn't require the size restraints, nor that my facility does large items that are to large to effectively detect a 7mm SS standard, worked with the auditor. The process is validated, and the metal detectors are calibrated annually, and verified every 2 hours for effectiveness. I would not like to be forced into using a smaller size detection standard that will cause too many false positives due to the type and size of my products.
Any advice or evidence that would help in the appeal process would be greatly appreciated.