Evaluate patulin and other relevant chemical hazards

Consider the ingredient, source, processing, intended use, and available scientific information. Document whether the hazard requires a preventive control and the basis for that determination.

Determine the appropriate preventive control

Identify whether the hazard is controlled by the receiving facility, a supplier, or another entity. Select process or supply-chain controls appropriate to the specific hazard and food.

Establish ingredient specifications

Where appropriate, define patulin or other analyte criteria, supplier requirements, testing expectations, and actions for results that are missing or do not meet specifications.

Make COA review part of the documented control

If COAs are used as part of a control or verification activity, define review responsibilities, analytes, acceptance criteria, lot matching, record retention, and escalation steps. Merely possessing a COA does not demonstrate that a control was implemented.

Apply receiving and supplier verification procedures

Ensure the facility’s written supply-chain program and verification activities meet applicable requirements when a supply-chain-applied control is used. Determine whether additional verification is necessary.

Address deficiencies and reanalyze when required

Document corrections, corrective actions, product evaluation, root cause, and verification. Determine whether new information or significant changes require food safety plan reanalysis.

How Consultare Inc. Group Can Help

Consultare can support food safety plan and hazard analysis review, chemical hazard assessment, preventive controls gap assessments, supply-chain program development and review, ingredient specification development, COA review procedures, corrective action planning, and PCQI-related technical assistance. Applicability, exemptions, and the required controls must be determined for the specific facility and food.

Free Consultation

Need Help Managing Your PCQI Responsibilities?

Whether you are developing or reviewing a food safety plan, evaluating mycotoxin hazards, establishing supply-chain preventive controls, or improving COA review procedures, request a free consultation through PCQIServices.com. Discuss your facility, ingredients, hazard analysis, and preventive controls questions. You can also create a free SystemsBuilder account to organize your compliance documentation and processes.

Start Building Your Compliance System

If you prefer to organize and manage your compliance activities yourself, you can also create a free SystemsBuilder account and begin building a structured system for your compliance documentation and processes.

The right time to strengthen ingredient controls, supplier verification, and documentation is before a compliance gap becomes a business problem.