Can anyone recommend a good system for batch coding?
We have a very fast paced cookie company and I am just starting to embark on the SQF journey. I hired someone to help write the code for the desk audit but after that what do I need to do to move forward...to stay in compliance?
Also, as far as documentation....I am having a very hard time figuring out batch coding. Can anyone recommend a good system I can put in place? Thank you for youe help
The most straightforward way is to
A) make up a product code for EACH finished good
B) Code each unit of finished product with that code + plus the date of production.
So you could mark your production sheets with a product code like
CC1 (chocolate chip 1 ounce)071719 (today's date)
That way you have ALL the ingredients that went into that batch on 1 piece of paper. Then sales would also need to use the same coding when product is sold. Now you have traceability from ingredient to your consumer.
There is some fantastic software out there where ingredients and finished goods (any rework if you have any) get scanned in and out to simplify things for you.
The batch code just needs to be an identifier that separates it from all other batches
Do you have any software systems in place that could integrate lot tracking and work orders? If not I'd suggest starting a spreadsheet to track both raw and finished goods with lot numbers from receiving/creation date out to an end date or ship date. Another option would be a Julian date (19017). Also consider an extra prefix in case you have a mixed lot so 19017A could represent product made today that contained sugar lot A and 19017B contains sugar lot B. If you run multiple shifts you could reflect that as well.
I am bias, but I would recommend you have a consultant visit to do a full gap/compliance consulting audit.
As to the other question - take a look at www.focus-works.com makers of the SQF Sentinel system and systems for the baking industry and others.
Hi cookielady3,
I find this simple system works quite well:
Batch Traceability.png 486.8KB 1 downloads
Finished product would be identified by batch code and best before date.
Kind regards,
Tony