Greetings,
I operate a rice processing facility and we are in the process of obtaining BRC 8 certification, planning for the audit next year.
We recently started using a zip-tie style bag closure for one of our products. Seeing as this does not contact product (the tie is wrapped around the open end of a poly bag after filling) I am wondering what evidence I need to have to approve this item for use.
Per BRC, it constitutes part of the primary packaging of the unit of sale (from the standard: Primary Packaging - The packaging that constitutes the unit of sale to the consumer or customer (e.g. bottle, closure and label of a retail pack or a raw material bulk container)), so I would imagine that I need to ensure there are not any potential issues with chemical migration or that the material is food grade, etc. The problem is, I am not sure what the expectation is for materials that are not expected to contact the food. This does not seem to fit the "direct" or "indirect" food contact categories.
Regards,
Daniel