Here is the example from the auditor. “At a plant, I asked if a pipe had food grade material in it, and it did. I pointed at the gasket between flanges and asked the company for a Letter of Conformance for the gasket in that pipe. Because they did not have that letter, they got a “non-conformance” (or whatever she called it, sorry for the loose use of wording)”. Essentially, she explained that we needed to have Letters of Conformance stating that the machinery has been built to food regulatory standards, or perform a risk assessment. These Letters or Risk Assessments are to be on file for materials and equipment (assets). We have very few documents like this.
So my question, how detailed or specific does this really need to be? Do I really need to inspect equipment we have been producing food in for 20+ years and write up these documents for every single machine and spare part?
Keeping in mind, this is for the food contact items.
It seems that I could be busy for months chasing documents down and performing risk assessments. Is there any basic statement that covers our commitment to ensuring our maintenance keeps all materials used within food safe regulations? This whole concept is overwhelming.