Management Review Procedures
Aligned with BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9 – Clause 1.1: Senior Management Commitment
Requirement Overview: BRCGS Clause 1.1.4
“The site’s senior management shall have a system in place to review the performance of the food safety and quality system at appropriate planned intervals, to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness.”
Management review is a structured process that ensures the food safety and quality system remains aligned with company objectives, compliant with BRCGS standards, and responsive to internal and external changes.
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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✓ Ensure food safety systems are reviewed regularly and effectively
✓ Drive continuous improvement based on performance data
✓ Promote cross-functional accountability and leadership engagement
✓ Maintain documented evidence of all reviews and outcomes
Step-by-Step Compliance Implementation
1. Define the Review Frequency and Schedule
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Considerations:
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• Reviews must occur at planned intervals (e.g., quarterly, biannually, or annually)
• Frequency should reflect business complexity, risk, and previous performance
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Annual review calendar with responsible parties
• Meeting invitations and attendance logs
- • Reviews must occur at planned intervals (e.g., quarterly, biannually, or annually) • Frequency should reflect business complexity, risk, and previous performance
- • Annual review calendar with responsible parties • Meeting invitations and attendance logs
2. Identify Key Inputs to Review
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Required Inputs Include:
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• Internal and external audit results
• Non-conformance and corrective action reports
• Customer complaints and feedback
• Food safety incidents or recalls
• KPI trends (e.g., hygiene, training, supplier performance)
• Regulatory updates and changes
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Review agenda outlining each input
• Data reports and supporting summaries
- • Internal and external audit results • Non-conformance and corrective action reports • Customer complaints and feedback • Food safety incidents or recalls • KPI trends (e.g., hygiene, training, supplier performance) • Regulatory updates and changes
- • Review agenda outlining each input • Data reports and supporting summaries
3. Conduct the Management Review Meeting
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Best Practices:
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• Led by the most senior site manager or QA head
• Cross-departmental participation (QA, Production, HR, Supply Chain, etc.)
• Use structured agenda with clear discussion points
• Allow time for risk evaluation and decision-making
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Signed meeting minutes
• Slide decks or handouts presented
• Attendance sheet and action items
- • Led by the most senior site manager or QA head • Cross-departmental participation (QA, Production, HR, Supply Chain, etc.) • Use structured agenda with clear discussion points • Allow time for risk evaluation and decision-making
- • Signed meeting minutes • Slide decks or handouts presented • Attendance sheet and action items
4. Document Decisions, Actions, and Improvements
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Review Outcomes Must Include:
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• Opportunities for improvement
• Resource needs or approvals
• Food safety culture insights
• Updates to policies, procedures, or objectives
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Action plan tracker
• Assigned responsibilities and deadlines
• Follow-up meeting schedule
- • Opportunities for improvement • Resource needs or approvals • Food safety culture insights • Updates to policies, procedures, or objectives
- • Action plan tracker • Assigned responsibilities and deadlines • Follow-up meeting schedule
5. Communicate and Follow Through
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Communication Channels:
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• Site-wide briefings or departmental updates
• Email summaries to key personnel
• Integration of changes into team goals or SOPs
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Communication records or memos
• SOP or policy updates
• Training logs, if procedures are affected
- • Site-wide briefings or departmental updates • Email summaries to key personnel • Integration of changes into team goals or SOPs
- • Communication records or memos • SOP or policy updates • Training logs, if procedures are affected
Common Audit Findings & Recommended Fixes
| Audit Finding | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| No formal management review process | Establish a documented review procedure with defined intervals |
| Missing key input data | Standardize required review inputs with templates |
| Lack of follow-up on action items | Implement a tracking system with deadlines and ownership |
| Limited leadership participation | Involve all relevant senior managers and cross-functional leads |