QS-Development

KNOW IT: Validation, Verification and Monitoring

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:25:36 +0000

"There is often confusion among the concepts of validation, monitoring and verification. Validation of control measures as described in this document is different from monitoring and verification, which both take place after the validated control measures have been implemented. Monitoring and verification are the tools used to check whether the control measures are being adhered to and to demonstrate that they are operating as intended. "

The above sentences are quoted of the CODEX DOCUMENT - GUIDELINES FOR THE VALIDATION OF FOOD SAFETY CONTROL MEASURES

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New Position Statement BRC for Food Safety Issue 6 published

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:52:47 +0000

What is a Position Statement?

When a new standard is published, some clauses require further explanation. A Position Statement is published by the BRC technical committee and provides an interpretation for a requirement or rule. Position statements are binding on the way that the audit and certification process shall be carried out and are an extension to the standard.

Position Statement for BRC Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 6

IFS Food News: The importance of IFS Food for Irish Food Manufacturers

admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 08:57:07 +0000

In the future IFS Food will play an important role for Irish food manufactures exporting to customers in continental Europe. IFS Food, the food safety and quality standard (the new version 6 of the standard gives more weight to quality criteria in addition to food safety criteria) of the International Featured Standards (IFS) is now available in 20 languages and audits are conducted in 96 countries.

Beside the emphasis on quality criteria the new standard includes new criteria for trade products. Form the 1st of July 2012 IFS auditors are checking whether the IFS-certified manufacturer has placed trade products, which he has not manufactured himself, on the market.

For example an Irish manufactures supplies trade products of the same product scope to an IFS certified customer/manufacture in e.g. Germany or France, other GSFI recognised standards such as the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety are not accepted anymore. An IFS Food certification is required!

As food safety and IFS subject matter experts QS-Development understand the importance of the above changes, therefore we will hold an IFS Food Information Seminar in Dublin in conjunction with the international certification body DQS.

We have invited Mr. Joachim Mehnert (Director DQS Food Safety Services), who also is member of the IFS International Technical Committee. He will provide first hand information on IFS and IFS Food version 6.

This event is free of charge however only a limited amount of seats are available. For further information on IFS and on the upcoming IFS Food Seminar read the full article.

IFS Food News

BRC Issue 6 Seminar – overview of changes in Fermoy

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 11:28:26 +0000

The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety has undergone extensive revision. As of the 1st January 2012 all existing and new food businesses certified to the standard will be audited against the requirements of Issue 6. As you prepare for your upcoming audit it is important to understand what changes have occurred in the requirements and how best to address them.

In this Seminar you will be provided with an overview of the main changes by experienced professionals involved in BRC certification. You will also get practical advice on how to get started on revising your system. The seminar is free and there will be plenty of time for Q&A and networking at the end of the session.

Click on the link below for more information and bookings

http://safefood360.com/events/brc-issue-6-overview-of-changes-seminar-2/

GFSI Newsletter April 2012

admin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:47:16 +0000

GFSI Newsletter April 2012

Food Defense Plan Guidelines

admin — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:13:14 +0000

Food Defense Plan Guidelines

KNOW IT: Certificate of Conformity (COC)

admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:19:34 +0000

Often I am asked how the so called COC (=Certificate of Conformity) shall look like. I did some research and found this paper of the BLL, which informs all participants in the food chain on the relevant regulations and contributes to a legally complying application and provides information on form and content of legally binding declarations of compliance.

BLL - The “Declaration of Compliance” for food contact materials and articles

KNOW IT: Mercury

admin — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 12:05:50 +0000

Only a week ago we asked the regular visitors of our website, if there is a demand in researching and publishing food safety and scientific articles in our news section. I am overwhelmed and thank you very much for your feedback and requests. Here we go, I start with mercury in conjunction with the recall of a frozen swordfish steaks due to elevated levels of mercury contamination (published on the FSAI website on the 21/03/12).

The new KNOW IT series starts with a scientific opinion of EFSA on mercury.

EFSA: Scientific Opinion – Mercury

Teagacs BRC Issue 6 Event

admin — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:00:48 +0000

I would like to thank George Howlett and all at SafeFood 360 for the invitation to be a speaker on this fabulous event.

Furthermore I like to thank all the attendees for their positive feedback after the presentation and via email.

Hopefully I will see you at future events such as the IFS Food Information Seminar in May 2012. You will find more information on this seminar in our IFS Food Section.

In the meantime feel free to download the complete presentation below.

HOW TO GET STARTED

FETAC Level 5 – Food Safety Train The Trainer in Killarney

admin — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:37:06 +0000

FETAC Level 5 – Food Safety Train The Trainer

• Would you like to save the ongoing costs of using an outside trainer?

• What if you could arrange staff training at short notice, whenever time allows?

QS-Development & MTS Consulting running a FOOD SAFETY TRAIN THE TRAINER for the HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY in Killarney.

To secure a place please contact Jim Flynn @ 086-3261833

All details here:

http://www.qsd.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Hosp-FSTTT-Brochure.pdf