Raw Ingredients & Packaging

Good Morning -

Ok, I need some clarification in regards to what SQF will require in regards to Raw Materials and Packaging. We are actively working towards becoming SQF certified in early 2015 and are working on a GAP analysis of our current programs vs. the SQF code.

What is an absolute must in regards to what would need to happen with raw materials and packaging? Does a standard letter of guarantee and product spec cover the bases or do you have to have COA from the vendor? Or do you have to test incoming ingredients?

excerpts from version 7.2:

2.3.2.1 - "specifications for all raw materials and packaging materials...shall be documented..."

2.3.2.4 - "validation of raw materials and ingredients shall include certificate of conformance; or certificate of analysis; or sampling and testing"

I would say specs, letter of guaranty, and one of the options from 2.3.2.4 are necessary. 

The beauty of SQF is that it gives you a lot of leeway to decide what it is you need.  Based on the what your doing decides what you need.  For example in produce we don't get a COC, testing is tricky depending on how you test.  For example we could pressure test or test brix on some commodities but not all.  So sampling worked for those that didn't quite fit the mold.  But that even got tricky as we had to keep our parameters fairly wind to accommodate less than stellar produce because mother nature gave us weeks of rain.  Without knowing what your process is and what you're making it is hard to advise you.  But take a deep breath and think it through...there is a solution and many kind auditors will respect the individual difficulties.  Most auditors want to see that you are doing the right things or at least trying to.  

• you need to show how you approved/ qualified  the supplier
• what method you will use to monitor the supplier.
• Followed by what Rmav suggested, then you need to show me the criteria you used to approve the specs, is it USDA, Codex  etc.
• Then you need a register ,
• a way to monitor the supply  a, deal will deviation and deal with emergency supplies
• then a validation as Rmav suggested  again
•  with Packaging you need to validate the packaging esp. regarding migration on primary packaging

PetBone,

   Your best tool to have here is one of those famous questionnaires that QA people like to send. A check off list of what they have. At the very end it reads: Please supply the following documents: SDS, Product Specification, GFSI Certificate, LOG or CoC, sample of COA. Last resort make your own spec sheet for 2.3.2.1. Last resort make your own testing (physical, chemical, biological, microbiological, nutritional, packaging, ingredient declaration, shelf life, color, grade, size, nutritional date, weight, taste?????, thickness to name a few). I realize it may be difficult for pet food. As mentioned in another post if the distributor can't provide it go to the manufacturer.

Dear petbone,

As per Snookie -

Without knowing what your process is and what you're making it is hard to advise you.

Please clarify. It may save you time.

Rgds / Charles.C

It looks like Dietary Supplement 21 CFR 111 requires identity testing for all dietary supplements as well.

Scottsc

As per Snookie & Charles, the controls you need to have in place are associated with the risk category of your product and the potential hazards the raw materials and packaging represent.

Regards,

Tony