System verification is an important component of SQF. Third-party audit stats for SQF often show that this element is non-compliant. Verification confirms that the Food Safety Management System is functioning as planned. The purpose of verification is to demonstrate that the food safety plan is science-based and that CCP is effective at controlling the significant…
Ten years ago, HACCP training was a pre-requisite to working in the food industry and learning the Codex HACCP guidelines. This changed in 2011 when Barack Obama signed FSMA into law and Preventive Control Plans for Human Food became mandatory in the United States. In North America, food products under FDA oversight which are not…
In recent years, food safety standards in the US and Canada have become more stringent and now cover all food offered for sale in these countries. If you're new to the industry, you must first navigate intricate import, manufacturing, and labeling regulations for food. Prior to manufacturing your new product or beverage, food inspectors will…
When I was first asked to write a blog about the basics of how to prepare for importing food products into Canada, I was having a matcha mochi (a green tea ice cream wrapped by paper-thin glutinous rice sheet). Matcha mochi is a product of Japan, and I was enjoying it in an Indian restaurant…
The purpose of developing a food fraud vulnerability assessment is for a food or beverage manufacturer/packer to ensure that control measures are put in place to prevent the receipt of materials that do not meet food safety and quality specifications. The intent is to gauge the business’ susceptibility to product substitution and adulteration as well…
As mentioned in a previous post (see Safe Food for Canadians Action Plan – Latest developments), the proposed Safe Food for Canadians Regulations are designed to strengthen food safety in Canada. The proposed regulations consist of 4 key elements: Licensing, Preventive Controls, Traceability and Preventive Control Plans (PCP). A public consultation is currently under...
The US Congress passed FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) on December 20th, 2010 and President Obama signed it into law on January 4th, 2011. Implementing Preventive Controls for Food Safety Section 103 of the act is about implementing Preventive Controls for food safety. The “rule” ---cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food rule (“PCHF” rule, 21 CFR Parts 1, 16, 106, 110, 114, 114. 117, 120, 123,129, 179 and 211) --- requires registered facilities, unless exempt, to: Have a written food safety plan Perform a hazard analysis…
The SQF institute (SQFI) is currently gathering stakeholder feedback and public input on proposed updates to the Safe Quality Food (SQF) code.1 SQFI anticipates that the SQF code Edition 8 will be released prior to the SQF annual conference taking place in Orlando, FL on October 25-27, 16.
Governments in Canada and the US are modernising their food safety legislation to ensure consumer protection and to align with that of key trading partners. Meanwhile, large retailers, distributors and manufacturers continue to support and demand implementation of global food safety standards to meet market demands. Standards such as Safe Quality Food (SQF) or British…