Valuable Information for Companies in the Food Industry

Welcome to PSV Food Safety Consultants

Welcome to our newsletter. It delivers important news and information, as well as identifying useful resources that can enhance your organization's competitiveness in the food industry. Our focus is on helping you to achieve and maintain an approved GFSI food safety certification. In doing so, we typically become a valued business partner to our clients.

HARPC Status Update

HARPC stands for "Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls," a new provision under the FSMA administered by the FDA. It is similar in content to a HACCP Plan. It includes requirements for recall plans and supplier verification. HARPC also has new requirements related to records and methods of documentation. After development, HARPC Plans must be re-verified at least every three years.

Who Does HARPC Apply To?

HARPC requires virtually every food manufacturer, packer, bottler and storage facility to identify food safety and adulteration risks, to implement controls to minimize the risks, to verify that the controls are working, and to design and implement corrective actions to address any deviations from the controls that might arise.

Are There Exceptions?

Yes. There are six major categories of food facilities that are exempt from HARPC. These include companies under USDA jurisdiction, companies governed by the FDA's new Produce Safety Standards (farms, cooperatives, growers, harvesters and other companies handling raw fresh fruits and vegetables), those with seafood and juice HACCP Plans, and small businesses with annual product values averaging less than $500,000.

When Does HARPC become Effective?

FDA will issue final HARPC regulations by August 30, 2015. FDA would not require a business to comply until 12 to 36 months after this. The compliance date depends on a business's size.

Source: harpc.com

HARPC vs. GFSI Certification

Generally speaking, companies with HACCP Plans or GFSI certification are much better positioned to satisfy HARPC requirements. "Companies with GFSI certification are better prepared to comply with FSMA because they have established a strong food safety system based on HACCP, the prerequisite programs and current Good Manufacturing Practices," says SGS's Cook. They have already put into place training, root cause analysis, corrective actions and preventative actions programs. "However, this doesn't mean their tasks are complete. For example, they may still need to implement programs to prevent intentional adulteration or manage sanitary transport specifications."

Source: Food Engineering

We Can Help

If your organization needs assistance in becoming food safety certified, we can help. And regardless of which food safety standard is utilized, our nationwide alliance of food safety consultants provides a local answer for your needs. We even offer economical annual maintenance programs to ensure your readiness for FDA and other industry audits. Learn more at Food Safety Consultants.

July, 2015

In This Issue

HARPC Status Update

Don Steele

We are a nationwide network of food safety consultants with seasoned expertise in helping clients become certified under approved GFSI schemes. Our consultants work closely with you to develop a certification strategy that best fits your unique situation and budget. And our turnkey consulting approach ensures your certification success in a timely fashion...satisfaction guaranteed!.

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How can your business and facilities become certified to a GFSI approved scheme? This detailed, customized report explains the steps involved and provides North American organizations with an estimate for consulting, Registrar and auditing fees. It also gives you an idea of the timeframe typically required for a company like yours to achieve a GFSI food safety certification. And just for requesting the Report, we will send a FREE publication, "Marketing your Food Safety Certification - How to Promote your Food Safety Certification," which explains how to leverage your GFSI-approved certification to gain more business.