How to determine if cardboard boxes are safe for use?
Hi.
I work at a facility that makes sandwich spreads (ham, tuna, chicken salad, and a variety of pimiento cheese spreads).
I have been given the challenge of figuring out if our cardboard that we use to ship our products in is "safe." These boxes do not come into direct contact with the food.
I requested documentation on their pest control procedures. They use a 3rd party that sprays the break room and offices only.
Where should I go from here with this Vendor?
Thank you,
Cailey
Does your customer have a particular requirement or regulation you are under requiring the packaging musts meet particular guidelines? You could send a sample of packaging to a third party lab for microbiological testing, again depending on what the requirements are from your industry's regulations. I would also recommend documenting this in your haccp plan.
Hi.
I work at a facility that makes sandwich spreads (ham, tuna, chicken salad, and a variety of pimiento cheese spreads).
I have been given the challenge of figuring out if our cardboard that we use to ship our products in is "safe." These boxes do not come into direct contact with the food.
I requested documentation on their pest control procedures. They use a 3rd party that sprays the break room and offices only.
Where should I go from here with this Vendor?
Thank you,
Cailey
Hi Cailey,
step 1 - You need to generate a product specification covering the food/ingredients/packaging etc for relevant safety-non-safety characteristics.
step 2 - see step 1.
The degree of difficulty likely depends on yr own technical background / available resources ??.
As per previous post an initial input is often, conveniently, provided by the customer/Regulatory requirements.
Where should I go from here with this Vendor?
It depends on what info. you need.
Get a spec sheet from the supplier and depending on who told you to check to see if they are safe - a certificate indicating non-migration of any chemicals used in processing the cardboard should do it.
Hello Cailey,
Make a suppliers audit on the vendor's facility if it is doable on your side or hire a 3rd party auditor to conduct an audit on your behalf.
regards,
redfox
We had a similar question come up from our USDA inspector. We asked for and received letters from cardboard companies stating that the cardboard used was not recycled cardboard and were elemental chlorine free and did not exceed dioxin levels according the FDA voluntary action level.
Hi Cailey,
Being a packaging supplier, we get many demands like yours.
Some clients just want a letter stating that our film is made with FDA/CFIA approved resins, some also request to see what policies/procedures we have in place as far as Food Safety/GMP goes, others want micro test (swab test) done on our film and finally some simply audit us.
Knowing that your supplier does not have much in place, I would go with the third option.
Regards,
Cris
The other thing to add to this thought process is the transport company who brings your packaging to you....if the manufacturer uses a 3rd party freight company what specs are they hauling under? Are they certified?