General | What is the NVWA? | The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is the agency that supervises businesses and institutions for compliance with laws and regulations. |
General | What exactly does a GFSI certification of the producer of the products mean? | GFSI stands for Global Food Safety Initiative. The initiative arose from the need to create recognised food safety standards and for continuous improvement of food safety management systems. The certification is recognised internationally.
GFSI certifications include BRC, FSSC 22000 and IFS standards. |
General | How does a declaration of conformity differ from a product specification? | A declaration of conformity differs from a product specification in the fact that it is aimed at a batch of products. This declaration of conformity states that the products in that batch supplied comply with the applicable legislation (e.g. microbiological safety, country of origin, etc.). |
General | How is the shelf life of a product determined? | The shelf life of a product depends on various factors: microbiological (e.g. salmonella), physical (e.g. moisture absorption) and chemical (e.g. enzymatic browning) factors. The shelf life differs per product due to one or more of these factors. |
General | Why is product traceability important? | Product traceability is important if a recall is required. Traceability means that the product batch history can be traced throughout the production chain. Being able to trace products well is important when one wants to take products back to the manufacturer, because something is wrong with them. Traceability is therefore important for the safety, perspiration and reliability of a company. |
Management | Are we registered as a food company with NVWA? | This was an action point at the start of the cooperation with MixMasters regarding the quality system. In document HMS-100, the number has been noted |
Management | Do I have a quality system? | Yes, I have a tailor-made, own quality system |
Management | How is the quality manual structured? | The system consists of 3 chapters:
1. The management system. It contains information about the company, the products and the trading process.
2. HACCP: the assessment of hazards and risks and the control of these.
3. Procedures regarding the implementation of the quality policy.
In addition to and as an output of the quality system, a number of documents are and will be made available that show that risks are guaranteed. |
| How do I stay informed of developments | Via MixMasters |
HACCP | Where is the HACCP risk analysis displayed in the system? | This is stated in Chapter 2, document HACCP-200 |
Securing procurement product | How do I manage risks related to the purchased products? | Via the declarations of conformity provided by the supplier or by carrying out an annual audit of the supplier. |
Securing procurement product | Is risk management of products based on a declaration of conformity sufficient? | Yes. Fact sheet 65 gives the option that a declaration from the supplier regarding the securing of specific hazards is sufficient for securing hazards. This option is also sufficient because the product remains closed in the process of purchase and further trade. As a trader, you cannot add any hazards to the product, so further assurance by the trader is not necessary. A statement regarding assurance by the supplier is sufficient in this case. |
Securing procurement product | How do I ensure the quality of products through a supplier audit? | By visiting the supplier and assessing the supplier by means of the BL-3002 audit form. The form mentions specific hazards for which the supplier must be able to show proof of assurance. For instance, by having analyses carried out on the end product or by the supplier's suppliers of raw materials. |
Logistics assurance | How do you manage risks related to the outsourced logistics process? | By having a survey filled in. The survey (BL-3001) is available in the system and must be completed and returned by the external party. |
Securing product information | How can I prove that the label contains the correct indications and statements? | The label is drawn up in cooperation with the supplier. Both parties carry out a check. |
Verification | How can I assess my own system? | Via an internal verification. A form for this purpose is included in the quality system. You can fill in this form and submit it for assessment to MixMasters. MixMasters will assess the findings as an independent auditor. |