Guidance on Addressing SQF Compliance Issues for Contracted Storage Providers
corporate quality requirements, where applicable; ii. Verify compliance with the SQF Quality Code and that all customer requirements are
being met; iii. Audit the contract manufacturer annually, at a minimum, to verify compliance to the SQF Quality Code and with agreed
arrangements, or accept the manufacturer's certification to the SQF Quality Code or equivalent; and iv. Ensure changes to contractual
agreements are approved by both parties, agreed with customers when necessary, and communicated to relevant personnel.
Response Minor
Evidence There is no evidence of annual audit to verify compliance to the SQF Quality code documented for the 3 contracted storage providers.
I'm pulling my hair out trying to figure out how to do this one.
Attached Files
Hi mgagne,
A bit of a strange one, as they are not food manufacturers, the requirements in this case should really align with SQF Food Safety Code: Storage and Distribution – System Elements but with quality included:
2.3.4 Contract Third-Party Storage or Distributor
2.3.4.1 The methods and responsibility for ensuring all agreements relating to food safety and customer product requirements and its realization and delivery are specified and agreed shall be documented and implemented.
2.3.4.2 The site shall:
i. Ensure changes to contractual agreements are approved by both parties and communicated to relevant personnel;
ii. Verify compliance with the SQF Code and that all customer requirements are being met at all times.
2.3.4.3 Records of all contract reviews and changes to contractual agreements and their approvals shall be maintained.
Do you have agreed specifications for the services provided and an agreed contract which includes food safety/quality requirements as per the SQF Food Safety Code & SQF Quality Code?
If they are within a reasonable distance, then surely the simple answer is to audit all three as it is going to be difficult to verify compliance with SQF food safety & quality requirements. Otherwise consider contracting out those audits.
Kind regards,
Tony
Has to be the worst clause in the SQF standard. While there are ways around it, they might as well as worded the clause "all contract manufactures must be SQF certified" If you add the quality portion to this, it is even more ridiculous.
What they want you to say is "we will no longer use XYZ, but will only use a SQF certified facility"
Not too helpfull.