SQF Implementation Plan: Specifications, Formulations and Realization

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An SQF system must have a system for managing food safety issues during product development and for documenting specifications for raw materials, ingredients and packaging materials. Specifications must be kept current.

Review SQF Code:

You will find the requirements for this process in section 2.3 of the SQF Code.

Tools:

• Procedure: P-230 Specifications Formulations Realization
• Workbook: F-243-001 Master HACCP Plan Workbook
• Master Project Plan

Definitions:

Validation: Obtaining and evaluation scientific and technical evidence that a control measure, combination of control measures is capable of effectively controlling a hazard.

Verification: ensuring that the Pre-requisite Programs and Monitoring Activities required by the food safety plans, and food safety fundamentals are taking place as scheduled, by approved methods, trained personnel and are recorded.

Basic Requirements:

• Document a procedure outlining responsibilities and methods for product development, bringing new products into production or making changes to product.
• Establish a method to make sure that new products have a HACCP/Food safety plan, and it is validated by the SQF Practitioner
• Implement a process for validating product claims.
• Identify how raw material and packaging specifications are documented and maintained.
• Create a register of specifications using the HACCP workbook
• Identify how product specifications are documented, and maintain a register of specifications.
• Document your method for validation of raw and packaging materials and verification of raw and packaging materials

First Team Meeting Agenda:

• Review the requirements of the SQF Code, and the responsibilities listed in this plan.
• Review the example procedure and forms. The procedure describes a process that can be used to address the tasks on the Master Project Plan. You will use that as a starting point, and make changes to customize the process for your organization and method of doing things.
• Review the tasks on the Master Implementation Plan form for your team.
• Set up a team meeting schedule to assign and complete these tasks. Meeting weekly or every other week at the same time is an effective method.

Future Action Items:

• When the items have been addressed, or plans are in place to address them, work to revise the procedure to reflect your new, compliant process. Revise the forms as needed.
• When completed, submit your new documentation (Procedure, Related Forms, List of Records) and your completed plan to the SQF Practitioner for review and approval.
• List any additional records (not listed in the procedure already) that should be retained for your process on the table below so they can be incorporated into the records table. Share this table with the Document Control and Records team.