Week 22 Labelling & Coding Application - We've Got SALSA Sussed

Week 22 Labelling & Coding Application

Hi Everyone!

Last week, we made sure our labels are compliant. This week, we are going to make sure we attach the right label to the right pack in our labelling and packing area….!

You may laugh….. However, this is one of the main reasons for recalls in the industry - applying the wrong label to the product.

This could result in the incorrect allergens being listed in the product, this could be the most serious of problems. The shelf life could be incorrect, extending it past the point of the food being safe. Not only that, but the product being sold with the wrong label means it is not what it says it is, meaning it is not a legally truthful or accurate description.

This happens in the food industry more than you’d expect. Therefore, getting the label and coding application right at this step in your process is essential!

Let’s get started on a great way to tackle this one…

What’s coming next…

Week 23 Distribution & Storage Controls

 

Labelling Compliance - what do you need to show your SALSA auditor?

Labelling Procedure

Labelling & Coding Record

 

Labelling Procedure

You need to write a documented procedure to stating how your business carries out labelling and coding application.

 

For some businesses, the labelling and coding application is a manual process.

 

For others, labels are applied automatically by equipment.

 

For some businesses, you may be packing one product at a time. With others, you may have several packing lines set up to label at the same time.

 

However your business carries out the labelling process, you must have a robust procedure and label verification check in place.

 

Labelling & Coding Application & Verification Procedures

There are many ways to tackle this, and here are my suggestions:

 

Label & Coding Sticker Retention

At the start of the product labelling run, take one product label and one coding label, check that it is all correct for the product being packed, and attach it to your Packing & Labelling Traceability Record.

 

This is to prove the right label was attached to the product being packed and the correct coding was also applied. This provides evidence and due diligence that you have completed it correctly.

 

This is one of the most widely used methods for proving you have applied the correct labelling and coding.

 

Retention Sample of Fully Labelled & Coded Product

Retain a sample of the fully packaged product, with labelling and coding applied. This should be done as standard practice anyway. However if you are unable to take a label and coding sticker for application to your Packing & Labelling Traceability Record, due to the product being pre-printed, or an in-line coding system being used, this is another solution.

 

Photograph of Fully Labelled & Coded Product

In addition to the retention product, you should also take a photograph of the labelled and coded product, attach it to your Packing & Labelling Traceability Record. Save it on file to provide evidence you have packed the right product into the right pack. You need to do this in addition to the product retention, as once the product has gone past its shelf life, you will put it to waste. Therefore you still need the evidence retaining in some way, so a photograph is a good option.

 

Labelling Verification Checks

It is always a very good idea to have a secondary person to check that you have applied the correct labelling and coding, because we are all only human, and sometimes mistakes get made. Have a secondary sign off, of the inital check as well.

 

You may think that this is a lot of paperwork, and perhaps it is, but we need to be able to provide evidence we have packed, labelled and coded correctly.

 

If the worst was to happen and there was a problem with your product, or a serious complaint and you ended up in a court of law, then you would be able to present your evidence of doing everything correctly. Thereby, protecting you, your business and your employees. If it is not written down, it hasn’t happened….!

 

It also shows us if there has been a mistake made, it can be quickly rectified. The verification check should highlight this prior to the product leaving the building.

 

If the incorrectly labelled product has left the building, retaining the records with the labelling applied to them provides you with a quick and efficient way of checking what has been done wrong. The batch coding and shelf life of the product will help you to activate your ‘Withdrawal’ or ‘Recall’. We will go into detail about Withdrawals and Recalls in the coming weeks.

 

 

Practical Things to Remember…

 

Label Design

When designing labels, it’s a good idea to have clear differences in how the different product labels look. Using different colours or visuals for each product is a good idea. If all labels are very similar, then there is more risk of the incorrect label being taken out of storage and applied.

 

Label Storage

Storage of Labels is important. Have a designated place in storage for all your labels. Having the shelves labelled up for storage of the different product labels is a really good idea. Do not store labels at the packing line.

 

Updating of Labels

Once you have updated a label, ensure all old versions of the label are put to waste, so they do not accidently get used. This is also another common error.

 

Removal of Unused Labels

Once labelling of the product is finished, remove all remaining labels away from the line, back into storage. It’s a good idea to have a sign off on your record for staff, to help them to remember to clear all unused labels once finished.

 

Auditors

Auditors are likely to check your labelling controls and may want to observe them being carried out on the audit day.

 

That’s it for now folks!

 

Have a good week!

 

If you need assistance, please feel free to contact me! On that note, that is the end of this section. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions.

 

Be careful and stay safe!

Ruth

Ruthshawconsultingltd@gmail.com

07732 966 836