I have a question that I need some insight into. My company produces food grade packaging and we are SQF certified. Our audit is coming up at the end of October. Our R&D group is starting to develop peanut butter products that are prototypes. They want to grind peanuts to create this peanut butter product. They will be grinding the peanuts under a hood. This is a prototype, so it will not be sold.
The R&D testing lab is attached to the QA lab with no barrier in between. The labs have limited access but QA technicians frequently go back and forth to the production floor. The production floor has zero allergens. We are looking at risk factors and have to mediate the risks but I am highly concerned with this new project.
The R&D group does not go to the production floor and can wear smacks etc. We have a foot bath to sanitize shoes. We also control the waste and trash. My biggest concern is the dust and contaminating the lab area that can then transfer to the floor.
Our scope does not include food products, only food packaging. Are we ok to do this if we are not selling food products only testing and developing them?
Thank you in advance for any insights and direction as this is new territory.