Specifications: Raw Materials, Packaging & Finished Product
Aligned with BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9 – Clauses 3.4.1 & 5.6.1
Requirement Overview
BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9 requires that accurate, approved specifications be maintained for raw materials, packaging, and finished products. These specifications must support product safety, legality, and quality, and be accessible, controlled, and reviewed regularly.
Clause 3.4.1: “Specifications shall be accurate, legible and unambiguous. They shall be formally approved and controlled.”
Clause 5.6.1.1: “Specifications shall be available for raw materials, including packaging, and finished products.”
Maintaining clear and current specifications helps prevent non-conformities, protects against food safety risks, and supports traceability, consistency, and regulatory compliance.
Aligned with BRCGS for Storage & Distribution Issue 4 – Clause 4.3.1 & 4.3.3
Requirement Overview
BRCGS for Storage & Distribution requires that products moved via cross-docking are traceable and controlled at all times, even when they are not held in storage for extended periods.
Clause 4.3.1: “The company shall ensure that traceability is maintained at all stages, including during cross-docking operations.”
Clause 4.3.3: “Procedures shall be in place to ensure that all products handled, including those not stored on-site, remain under control and are not subject to contamination or substitution.”
Cross-docking operations must not compromise product traceability, safety, or integrity. Even with minimal handling and temporary presence, each product must be accurately identified, documented, and protected.
Key Compliance Objectives
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✓ Maintain accurate and approved specifications for all materials and products
✓ Support product safety, legal compliance, and customer expectations
✓ Ensure availability and control of specifications at point-of-use
✓ Review and update specifications regularly or when changes occur
Step-by-Step Compliance Implementation
1. Create and Approve Specifications
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Specification Categories Include:
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• Raw Materials: Ingredients, additives, allergens, and processing aids
• Packaging: Contact materials, barrier properties, food-grade verification
• Finished Products: Nutritional data, shelf life, storage, usage instructions
Required Details:
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• Product or material name and code
• Physical, chemical, and microbiological standards
• Allergen and origin declarations
• Acceptance criteria, tolerances, and testing methods
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Signed and dated specification documents
• Approval records from authorized personnel
• Supporting supplier documentation or COAs
- • Raw Materials: Ingredients, additives, allergens, and processing aids • Packaging: Contact materials, barrier properties, food-grade verification • Finished Products: Nutritional data, shelf life, storage, usage instructions
- • Product or material name and code • Physical, chemical, and microbiological standards • Allergen and origin declarations • Acceptance criteria, tolerances, and testing methods
- • Signed and dated specification documents • Approval records from authorized personnel • Supporting supplier documentation or COAs
2. Implement Specification Control and Access
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Control Measures Include:
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• Version-controlled specification master list
• Controlled distribution and access at relevant locations
• Secure storage of previous versions
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Document control logs or registers
• Read-and-understood records (if applicable)
• Archived superseded versions marked accordingly
- • Version-controlled specification master list • Controlled distribution and access at relevant locations • Secure storage of previous versions
- • Document control logs or registers • Read-and-understood records (if applicable) • Archived superseded versions marked accordingly
3. Review and Update Specifications Regularly
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Review Triggers Include:
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• Product or supplier changes
• Non-conformances or audit findings
• Regulatory or customer specification changes
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Specification review logs with revision history
• Change control forms and approval trails
• Communication logs with suppliers or customers
- • Product or supplier changes • Non-conformances or audit findings • Regulatory or customer specification changes
- • Specification review logs with revision history • Change control forms and approval trails • Communication logs with suppliers or customers
4. Validate Finished Product Specifications
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Validation Activities May Include:
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• Product conformance testing
• Label review and nutritional verification
• Microbiological or shelf-life analysis
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Testing reports or certificates of analysis
• Product review forms
• Finished product release documentation
- • Product conformance testing • Label review and nutritional verification • Microbiological or shelf-life analysis
- • Testing reports or certificates of analysis • Product review forms • Finished product release documentation
Common Audit Findings & Recommended Fixes
| Audit Finding | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Missing or outdated specifications | Maintain a complete, up-to-date specification master file |
| Unapproved or draft versions in use | Implement approval and version control workflows |
| Incomplete or vague specification details | Standardize specification format and include required fields |
| No documented review process | Schedule and document regular review cycles |