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Food Security is Priority One at PAC |
by James D Downham, President and CEO of PAC, Packaging Consortium PAC, Packaging Consortium is the IFS partner which had the foresight long before GFSI benchmarking to create a HACCP-based standard called PACsecure. The version IFS PACsecure is now GFSI benchmarked and a growing standard in the field of packaging conversion certification. As the global food chain has evolved over the past several decades, food safety has become top of mind for industry leading companies. Under the direction of Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has played an important role as the de facto overseer of leading food safety supply chain schemes. As recently as June 24, 2015 the CGF announced “its commitment to tackling the global food waste challenge by agreeing to halve food waste within the operations of its 400 retailer and manufacturer members by 2025. Food waste is an enormous environmental, social and economic challenge. A third of food calories produced are never eaten. It represents an economic cost to the global economy of $750 billion per year and, if food waste were a country, its carbon footprint would be third only to China and the US.” Food safety and food waste are the critical issues related to Global Food Security. Based on these growing global needs PAC decided to provide packaging leadership to ensure Food Security for our members and their North American markets. PAC is a 2200 member, not-for-profit material and package neutral, corporation founded in 1950. Our mission is to drive for progressive change in the packaging value chain through leadership, collaboration and knowledge sharing. We execute our vision and mission through a comprehensive networking process of online seminars, seminars, conferences, competitions, facility tours, education programs, trade shows and technical work groups. Our PAC core products are PACsecure, PACed and PAC NEXT. PACsecure is the PAC family brand of our food security initiatives. The product portfolio includes: • IFS PACsecure - the most trusted and comprehensive global packaging standard • PAC FOOD WASTE - launched in 2013 as a catalyst for food waste packaging solutions • PAC Water - the initial project is the Canadian Water Summit - a high value networking, industry-specific content and innovative leadership, technology and think-tank on water issues. The IFS PACsecure food safety standard for individual packaging materials was officially benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) in December 2013. The standard was developed specifically for the global packaging industry in Toronto, Canada by PAC, and a 100+ member committee made up of packaging converters, suppliers, users and government. These organizations included firms such as Kraft Foods, McCain Foods, General Mills, Coca Cola, Silgan Plastics, Atlantic Packaging, Owens Illinois and Tetra Pak Canada. The standard was field tested to ensure it is understood at the plant floor. A process and product certification based on both science and risk in the control of hazards, IFS PACsecure is the most comprehensive food safety standard for packaging materials in the world. The science and risk-based approach was chosen by the broad industry group that developed IFS PACsecure, to provide a standard based on packaging science for food/non-food products rather than simply use a food standard as the foundation for meeting packaging converter's needs. In 2012 PAC partnered with International Featured Standards (IFS) to provide leadership and guidance for the GFSI benchmarking process and to provide access to the IFS global network. IFS has more than 17,000 certifications worldwide for its GFSI food safety standards. Although IFS PACsecure stands in its infancy, more than 100 facilities will be certified in 2015. Global industry leaders International Paper and Amcor are currently certifying plants, as are other market leaders including Silgan Plastics, Coveris, Atlantic Packaging and Mondi. Locations include USA, Canada, Germany, Austria, and Spain. Today the global market demands that everyone must contribute to solve this enormous and complex food security issue. We are here to serve the North American packaging community but the IFS PACsecure Standard is for the global market. At PAC we have the expertise to provide the necessary guidance and support you need to be successful. *** |
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The Value of Food Safety Standardization in a Company Environment |
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by Ed Hughes, International Paper This article submitted by Ed Hughes, Testing Labs and Product Safety and Compliance Manager, of International Paper. International Paper implements IFS PACsecure as their GFSI standard of choice. Making the leap in the packaging industry from standard GMP audits to a GFSI recognized certification can be a resource intensive endeavor. Most experts will tell you it takes six months to a year to prepare for the initial audit. Multiply that in a company environment by 5, 10 or 20 locations and the amount of resources required becomes unfathomable. In many packaging industry segments multiple locations have similar if not identical processes, machinery, raw materials, etc. When these similarities exist resource requirements can be greatly reduced through a standardized approach to food safety processes and audit programs. Economies of scale can be realized by centrally defining food safety processes that are applicable across many locations and providing models for processes or documentation that require limited local modification. It’s paramount to first choose a GFSI recognized audit standard that aligns well with your organization, manufacturing processes, and customer base. The ability to focus on a single audit standard for multiple locations provides numerous benefits: • Single point alignment with supporting company departments • Consolidation of information • Consistency across multiple locations • Seamless succession / transition of personnel Standardizing common food safety processes also provides numerous benefits. When documentation is controlled above the facility level, local personnel have the opportunity to focus on execution. HACCP models can be developed that address all common risks to food safety, allowing increased focus on site specific issues. Accelerated buy-in at the local level occurs from the leadership, assistance and resources that are provided. Most importantly, the amount of resources required to prepare for the initial audit are greatly reduced. Customers also benefit from a standardized approach, as they can be assured of consistent products from all locations. A standardized approach can also increase the effectiveness of the audit process. With multiple sites being audited there is an opportunity to form a small pool of auditors that come to understand your standard processes very well. At this point in time, the auditors have the chance to focus on your execution. That is the point at which the audits are truly beneficial and provide exceptional value from a continuous improvement perspective. This strategy will not benefit every organization, but when multiple facilities have similar processes the strategy will allow faster deployment on a larger scale.
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The Year Between Two Audits |
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The When the IFS PACsecure audit is over and certification was successful, all the work and preparation have paid off. The company and all employees can be proud of the achievement. Now the challenge is to maintain the status and to improve the processes. In most cases this requires • To reject the usual routine that lead to deviations, • To work according to the described processes and the rules set by yourself, • Constant documentation, • Permanent monitoring, • Implementation of corrective actions. The following hints can help to maintain achieved status and to improve for the next audit. Re-describe processes When processes work make sure they are described exactly as they are executed in daily business. Otherwise, when exceptions occur this normally means the process requires reorganization. Describe shortly and use flow charts. Involve the respective employees and ask how they perform their work and where they see weak spots and exceptions. Depending on the changes, adapt the processes and re-train. Remember that change is a part of a living quality system. Keep the changes Sometimes it takes time for employees to follow adapted procedures. “We are doing it this way for years, why is it wrong now?” can be a typical complaint. The following analogy may invalidate the complaint: There are only very few companies who can operate effectively and market-orientated solely relying on production technology which is 15 years old. The same applies on the processes in the company. The IFS PACsecure system allows adaption to your needs and to develop improved procedures. Plan trainings Employees must be trained according to their needs and also prove their knowledge regarding their responsibilities during the audit. Therefore determine training requirements and plan necessary trainings well in advance. Define objectives Setting objectives for employees or departments individually helps to involve all staff in the improvement process. Tangible goals will support employees to contribute in the quality improvement process and to understand their responsibility. |
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Most Seen Deviations |
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The requirements of IFS PACsecure are designed to examine the processes of all types of packaging manufacturing. Looking at the bigger picture of the audits performed so far, whether in plastic, paper, metal or glass manufacturing, certain patterns become apparent. Some requirements are frequently rated with deviations. For example one of the requirements on glass breakage: 4.12.8 - All stationary objects made of or incorporating glass or brittle material present in areas of handling of raw materials, converting, wrapping and storage shall be listed in a specific register, including details of their exact location. An assessment of the condition of objects on the register shall be performed on a regular basis and recorded. Frequency of this check shall be justified by documents. Most seen deviations of the last audits were, for example: • Inventory not made, nor audits of condition of what is in the plant, • Glass and brittle plastic inspection records are not available, • Fire alarms with glass are not listed in the glass/ hard plastic register. The number of lamps is not mentioned in the register, • List of glass and brittle materials available, but the condition of the glass and plastic items was not verified, • Some glass items are not included in the list as manometer located on each machine. The list doesn’t include brittle material (acrylic glass). Frequency of monthly inspection is not justified by documents. No proof that stationary objects in glass or brittle plastic are checked. Glass and brittle material may end up on or in the packaging product as a foreign material. They constitute a hazard and can cause injury. The detection of foreign material from glass and rigid plastic may be costly and extensive in many cases. Therefore the focus is on preventive measures. According to the requirement a complete list of all glass and brittle objects shall be made. Understandably there are objects which can easily be overlooked, such as manometers or safety covers of fire alarm buttons. Auditors will check if the glass register is complete and includes the location of the objects. Furthermore, it must be clear if checks are performed regularly. The company shall provide evidence (records) indicating what, how, how often and who performs the checks of the condition, and how defects are handled. What can be done? • Record exactly where glass and brittle material is located (room, line…), • Specify how often the glass register shall be checked, • Create a checklist and review the condition of the objects, • Photos and descriptions might help to record cracks and damages. They also help to track changes of the condition, • Cross check with final product control and complaints, • Consider the checklist when revising the HACCP system. *** |
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FAQ |
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Q: We manufacture packaging for pharmaceutical/personal care customers. Can we use the IFS PACsecure Standard? A: Yes, IFS PACsecure not only applies on manufacturers of food packaging material but also on producers of pharmaceutical or personal care packaging. Q: Our company is IFS PACsecure certified. Can we use the IFS PACsecure logo? A: Yes, IFS PACsecure certified companies may use the logo for communication with their business partners and also in brochures and on exhibitions. You can download the logo from the IFS database using your login account. For further details and restrictions please see the IFS PACsecure Standard, part 1, 10, or contact your certification body. Q: I have doubts regarding my audit result / an auditor / a certified company, and I would like to file a complaint. How can I do this? A: Please fill in the complaint form in the IFS database using your login account, or visit the IFS website. |
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IFS PACsecure Training Schedule |
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Contents • Introduction to IFS • Background of food and packaging material safety • Legal requirements • GMP and examples • The IFS PACsecure Standard and the KO requirements • Hints for implementation • Case studies • Hazard analysis • Hints for the certification Benefits • Learn about the structure of the Standard • Get to know the most important requirements • Know how to implement the Standard • Prepare for the audit • Ask questions Methods Presentation and discussion, working on case studies, exchange of experience Target group Quality department personnel from the packaging material industry, quality management delegates, interested persons from the food and packaging material industry Dates Europe 2015 • October 21st, 2015 - Hamburg, Germany Start: 9 am approximately End: 6 pm approximately Price 399 EUR |
For registration and further information please visit the IFS website. |
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Approved certification bodies |
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• AENOR, C/ Génova 6, 28004 Madrid, Spain, Tel. +34 91 432 5988 • AIB, PO Box 3999, Manhattan (KS), USA 66505-3999, Tel. +1 800 633 5137 • DNV GL, Schnieringshof 14, 45329 Essen, Germany, Tel. +49 201 729 6393 • DQS CFS, August-Schanz-Str. 21, 60433 Frankfurt/Main, Germany, Tel. +49 69 9 54 27-234 • NSF International, 789 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor (MI), USA 48105, Tel. +1 734 769 8010 • SAI Global, 20 Carlson Court, Suite 200, Toronto (ON), Canada M9W 7K6, Tel. +1 416 401 8700 • SGS INSTITUT FRESENIUS, Europa-Allee 12, 49685 Emstek, Germany, Tel. +49 4473 9439 0 • TÜV Austria Hellas, 429 Mesogeion av., 15343 Agia Paraskkevi, Athens, Greece, Tel. +30 210 5220920 • TÜV Nord Cert, Böttcherstraße 11, 33609 Bielefeld, Germany, Tel. +49 521 786 346 |
Please visit the IFS website for further information. |
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