ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: You, Pests, and a Food Safety Audit

Differences Between BRC, SQF

Differences between the two programs can occur on some of the finer points, such as who is involved with the pest management program. BRC standards tend to be directed toward a facility with a pest management contractor, while the language in SQF standards is geared toward an in-house staff member who handles pest control. Since BRC focuses on a contractor relationship, the standards outline the need for senior management to review the pest management provider’s program.

This should be someone above the facility’s sanitarian, extending to the plant manager level or higher. BRC also requires that an audit of the pest management program be conducted by someone other than the technician, such as a supervisor or independent quality assurance staff member from the pest management company.

Again, while the similarities of the standards far outweigh their differences, it is essential to understand the details within the standards. For SQF, check out section 6.5; for BRC, read section 4.11. Also, review the National Pest Management Association’s standards for food processing plants, which were discussed in the April/May 2009 issue of Food Quality. These universal guidelines have been accepted by BRC, SQF, and GFSI.

For more audit tips, go to orkincommercial.com to view a new training video in which an Orkin pest management expert and a veteran NSF auditor guide you through the pest control portion of a third-party audit. You can also download a pre-audit checklist that outlines key milestones to prepare you for your next audit.

By preparing today and working with your pest control provider, you’ll lessen the anxiety that comes when you hear the words “audit” and “pests.” ■

Dr. Siddiqi is director of quality systems for Orkin, Inc. For more information, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.orkincommercial.com.