GMA SAFE - does it compare to BRC?
What is the GMA SAFE Audit? How does it compare to BRC/SQF/GFSI audits
I have never been audited under GMA SAFE, but considering it is not a GFSI audit I assume it would be more like a GMP Audit. GFSI Audits are their own breed and can be quite a challenge for those who are new to the scheme.
Hello, I did the GMA SAFE course, and I´m a BRCGS auditor. I will try to explain briefly:
GMA-SAFE was founded under the auspices of the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA, formerly NFPA and FPA). GMA has long worked with U.S. food companies, government agencies and others to ensure the safety and quality of the nation’s food supply. ---> ONLY USA
GMA-SAFE is a voluntary, independent, industry-designed tool for conducting food protection assessments of Suppliers’ food ingredients, pharmaceuticals, packaging, warehouse and co-manufacturing services ---> IT IS NOT A CERTIFICATION SCHEME
Check list varies according to the Category, i.e:
Aseptic process:
1-Management Responsibility 1.1-Management Commitment and Review 2-Fundamentals 2.1-Infrastructure 2.2-Sanitation 2.3-Pest Control 2.4-Chemical Control 2.5-Personnel Practices 2.6-Training & Education 2.7-Handling Storage & Delivery 2.8-Vendor Approval 2.9-Packaging Approval for Use 2.10-Control of Materials 2.11-Sanitary Design 2.12-Traceability and Recall Management 2.13-Crisis Management 2.14-Food Defense (Security) 2.15-Calibration Measuring and Test Equipment 2.16-Traffic Control 2.17-Maintenance 3-Food Safety & HACCP Systems 3.1-HACCP / Food Safety 3.2-Microbiological Testing 3.3-Analytical Testing for Food Safety and / or Regulatory Compliance 3.4-Food Allergens and Chemical Sensitivities 3.5-Foreign Material Control 4-Manufacturing Quality Systems 4.1-Conformance to Customer Specifications 4.2-Process Control4.3-Inspection & Test 4.4-Control of Non-conforming Materials 4.5-Good Laboratory Practices 4.6-Document Control and Record Keeping 4.7-Corrective and Preventive Action 4.8-Continuous Improvement 4.9-Customer / Consumer Complaints 4.10-Internal Auditing 5-Regulatory Considerations 5.1-Labeling Approval 5.2- Regulatory & Industry Compliance and Verification of Aseptic Performance 5.3-Management of the Regulatory Inspection Process
Minimum assessment time is 3 days.
If you need more info pls let me know :)
Leila