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Reuse of Repack Boxes Inspection

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Angie Ho

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Posted 24 December 2014 - 04:36 PM

Hi everyone,

 

I need help on writing a Reuse of Repack Boxes Inspection policy.

I work for a produce repack and distribution center where our production department reuses the food product boxes (plastic and paperboard) for food repacking.

Other than inspection of cleanliness and odors of the boxes, what more can I include in the policy?

 

Thank you.



RG3

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Posted 24 December 2014 - 05:43 PM

Is there anything written on the corrugated boxes? Is there a sanitation plan? Is there an allergen plan?



Angie Ho

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Posted 24 December 2014 - 07:08 PM

We reuse both plain and printed corrugated boxes and plastic food containers. Is it acceptable to reuse the box/container if we cover all the printed information with our own labels? 

 

We do not want to wash or clean the containers before reuse so any contaminated containers will be discarded. We do not reuse any containers from allergen products.

 

Thanks RG3. 

Merry Christmas! :x_smile:



Charles.C

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Posted 25 December 2014 - 02:28 AM

We reuse both plain and printed corrugated boxes and plastic food containers. Is it acceptable to reuse the box/container if we cover all the printed information with our own labels? 

 

We do not want to wash or clean the containers before reuse so any contaminated containers will be discarded. We do not reuse any containers from allergen products.

 

Thanks RG3. 

Merry Christmas! :x_smile:

 

Dear Angie Ho,

 

Maybe the second sentence was from a Fortune Cookie  ?I

 

Offhand i would suggest that a FS policy based on visual(?) inspection of cleanliness and odour is better than nothing but inadequate without a risk analysis including subsequent usage / original contents / internal control.

 

Rgds / Charles.C


Kind Regards,

 

Charles.C


Setanta

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Posted 29 December 2014 - 01:13 PM

Really, Charles?  Fortune Cookie?

 

I didn't have any issue with the sentence structure. 

 

That aside, Angie, I think you may want to look at cleaning the containers. I thought there was a recent recall in Europe connected to re-use of plastic containers that went from farm to grocery store.   My memory may be foggy this Monday AM.

 

I don't know if your containers spend any time on the farm, but there definitely should be a cleaning/sanitizing step if they do.


  • cazyncymru and fgjuadi like this

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Posted 29 December 2014 - 01:16 PM

It might be good to perform a risk assessment on the process.  If any food safety risks are identified from it then you can decide how best to mitigate the risks.  


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cazyncymru

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Posted 29 December 2014 - 04:59 PM

Dear Angie Ho,

 

Maybe the second sentence was from a Fortune Cookie  ?I

 

 

 

Rgds / Charles.C

 

 

MMM Hope that was being said tongue in cheek Charles.

 

Would hate to think you were basing your comments on stereotyping!

 

Caz



RG3

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Posted 29 December 2014 - 05:03 PM

MMM Hope that was being said tongue in cheek Charles.

 

Would hate to think you were basing your comments on stereotyping!

 

Caz

:eek_yello:



RG3

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Posted 29 December 2014 - 05:07 PM

To get back on topic, IMEX it's a bad idea to reuse packaging that has an ingredient statement or brand name on the outside of the corrugated box or tub. I've been told by several auditors, BRC, customer, and regulatory since there is a possibility that they can comingle since the other boxes do exist. Please keep in mind that we did place a sticker with use by date on the boxes after we refilled with another ingredient inside. Good luck. Maybe you can reach out to your auditor and gets his opinion.



Angie Ho

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Posted 29 December 2014 - 05:18 PM

Thank you for all the valuable comments on this topic.

 

Happy New Year! :sorcerer:



Charles.C

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Posted 29 December 2014 - 06:53 PM

Dear Setanta,

 

I didn't have any issue with the sentence structure.

 

Sorry, you lost me there. I have had lots rejected for over-labelling.

 

@Caz - Not at all, I love Murdoch's Mysteries !

 

Rgds / Charles

 

PS - @ Angie Ho - Happy New Year

:band:


Edited by Charles.C, 29 December 2014 - 07:06 PM.
expanded

Kind Regards,

 

Charles.C


Setanta

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Posted 29 December 2014 - 07:04 PM

Dear Angie Ho,

 

Maybe the second sentence was from a Fortune Cookie  ?I

 

Offhand i would suggest that a FS policy based on visual(?) inspection of cleanliness and odour is better than nothing but inadequate without a risk analysis including subsequent usage / original contents / internal control.

 

Rgds / Charles.C

 

What difficulty did you have with the second sentence? I could read it and nothing about her post made me think fortune cookie. 


-Setanta         

 

 

 


Charles.C

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Posted 29 December 2014 - 07:08 PM

Dear Setanta,

 

You beat me to it. :smile:

 

See the expansion.

 

Rgds / Charles


Kind Regards,

 

Charles.C


FSteam

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Posted 03 November 2015 - 10:21 PM

Hello, bringing this topic back. I need some help for a decision on how to wash/disinfect used plastic containers. The options we have are:

1. Use the hydrocooler we have for produce (being used to cool down boxes of finished fresh product, not ready to eat, with a cold chlorinated solution) to run the plastic containers and wash/disinfect them.

2. Use a separate tank or pressure cleaner to do it manually.

Thank you





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