Specifications for Traded Products
Aligned with FSSC 22000 – Requirements for Procurement and Control of Products and Services
Requirement Overview
FSSC 22000 requires that all traded products (i.e., products not manufactured on-site but sold under the organization’s name or brand) comply with applicable food safety, legal, and quality requirements. This includes maintaining accurate product specifications, ensuring supplier assurance, and verifying that labeling and traceability controls are in place.
Specifications for traded products serve as the foundation for supplier approval, product verification, and label compliance—ensuring the same rigor is applied to outsourced items as to those produced in-house.
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 all traded products meet food safety, legal, and quality standards
✓ Maintain accurate and up-to-date specifications for all traded products
✓ Verify label compliance and allergen declarations
✓ Support full traceability and supplier accountability
Step-by-Step Compliance Implementation
1. Establish Supplier Approval for Traded Products
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Approval Process Should Include:
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• Risk-based assessment of the traded product supplier
• Verification of supplier certification to a recognized food safety scheme
• Review of quality and food safety performance history
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Supplier approval procedure
• Copies of third-party certifications or audit reports
• Supplier performance and monitoring records
- • Risk-based assessment of the traded product supplier • Verification of supplier certification to a recognized food safety scheme • Review of quality and food safety performance history
- • Supplier approval procedure • Copies of third-party certifications or audit reports • Supplier performance and monitoring records
2. Maintain Accurate Product Specifications
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Specifications Must Include:
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• Product description and composition
• Packaging, storage, and shelf life details
• Country of origin
• Allergen content and control measures
• Relevant microbiological, chemical, and physical standards (if applicable)
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Signed and dated product specification sheets
• Specification review and change history
• Supplier-validated product data
- • Product description and composition • Packaging, storage, and shelf life details • Country of origin • Allergen content and control measures • Relevant microbiological, chemical, and physical standards (if applicable)
- • Signed and dated product specification sheets • Specification review and change history • Supplier-validated product data
3. Verify Labelling and Legal Compliance
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Controls to Implement:
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• Confirm traded product labels meet applicable regulatory requirements
• Validate allergen declarations and product claims
• Ensure label details match approved specifications
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Approved label proofs and translations
• Label compliance checklist
• Internal or third-party label verification documentation
- • Confirm traded product labels meet applicable regulatory requirements • Validate allergen declarations and product claims • Ensure label details match approved specifications
- • Approved label proofs and translations • Label compliance checklist • Internal or third-party label verification documentation
4. Review and Update Regularly
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Update Triggers Include:
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• Changes in formulation, packaging, or supplier
• Regulatory updates affecting labeling or allergens
• Internal findings, complaints, or audit results
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Annual specification review logs
• Version-controlled specification archives
• Change control records with documented impact assessments
- • Changes in formulation, packaging, or supplier • Regulatory updates affecting labeling or allergens • Internal findings, complaints, or audit results
- • Annual specification review logs • Version-controlled specification archives • Change control records with documented impact assessments
Common Audit Findings & Recommended Fixes
| Audit Finding | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| No specification available for traded product | Request signed specifications from supplier and store in a central file |
| Outdated supplier certifications | Implement a tracking system for renewal of supplier documents |
| Label non-compliance (e.g., missing allergen info) | Add internal label verification before product approval |
| No evidence of specification review | Maintain dated review logs with responsible personnel records |