I N D U S T RY TA L K
Decoding the BRC Global Standard As food manufacturers come under pressure to do their bit for the environment, food safety should not be sacrificed. Darcy Simonis talks us through the forthcoming changes to the British Retail Consortium's (BRC) Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging materials and what it means for manufacturers. emphasis on these aspects. To improve relevant control measures, the hazard and risk analysis (HARA) separates hazards into product safety and quality defects (2.2.6) to prevent, eliminate or reduce each product quality hazard to acceptable levels.
AUDIT PROCESS Issue 5 of the global standard offered three audit options for the industry; full announced audit, full unannounced audit and split unannounced audit. The working group involved in the revision of the standard identified that the full unannounced audit option instils ‘extra confidence to specifiers’. The split unannounced audit option will be removed in Issue 6. safety and quality management, site standards, products and process control and personnel. Novel packaging, but is it safe?
A
In August 2019, the latest version of the standard was published, following the revision of a draft version released
growing throwaway culture,
in 2018. Developed in collaboration with
mostly made up of single-use
packaging professionals, the scope of the
food wrapping has created a
revision includes packaging manufacture
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL Raw material management is vital in the packaging industry, particularly in areas where there is a high risk of contamination. Section 8 of the BRC standard will see the implementation of new environmental control, involving a risk assessment of loss damage and spillage of materials.
global waste problem. While consumers
and the printing and production of raw
are doing their bit, manufacturers must
materials for the packaging industry. It
take responsibility and look at new ways to
focuses on product safety, with a large
tackle this growing epidemic.
emphasis on functionality and quality.
use, it should not change the packaging
packaging is primarily designed to stop
FOOD SAFETY CULTURE
material that will change. Swapping plastic
contamination and protect the quality of a
All areas of the business should
packaging for a biopolymer alternative
product. Manufacturers must be aware of the
continuously look for ways of improving
rules and regulations that exist surrounding
safety throughout a plant. Issue 6 will
the production and use of packaging.
introduce a new clause (1.1.2) that requires
Despite new solutions being sought,
sites to set up, execute and review an
While food manufacturers will need to rethink the packaging materials they process too significantly as it is only the
won’t change the overall palletising process, meaning minimal disruption to the overall manufacturing process. Issue 6 of the BRC Global Standard for Packaging was released in August
STANDARDS IN ACTION
action plan to improve its product safety
Introduced in 1998, the BRC Global
and quality culture.
2019, and the first audits are set to take
Materials assists those working with
HYGIENE CATEGORIES
participating in the standard should
packaging to deliver products that
The previous revision of the standards
prepare their business to ensure produce
support the transport of safe and hygienic
saw a two-tier approach to hygiene - basic
food. Recognised by the Global Food
and high. In Issue 6, these tiers will be
Safety Initiative (GSFI) as the first global
consolidated as a way of simplifying the
packaging standard, 3 500 suppliers in
standard. The two-category system will
80 countries are certified in the scheme
be replaced with a risk-based approach
to ensure product safety and quality
based on a single set of requirements.
Standard for Packaging and Packaging
management of the food and beverage supply chain. The standard consists of six sections;
MORE THAN PRODUCT HYGIENE
place in February 2020. Manufacturers
remains of the highest standard. •
ABOUT THE AUTHOR DARCY SIMONIS is the industry network leader for ABB’s food and beverage segment.
The BRC Global Standard is not just about
senior management commitment, hazard
hygiene; it also looks at product safety
and risk management system, product
and quality. Issue 6 will place a greater
ABB – www.abb.com
October 2019 | Food Review
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