Material Safety Data Sheets in the Food Industry

Material Safety Data Sheets, also identified as MSDS’s, supply details on the best way to manage and store chemical substances in a safe and secure manner. The MSDS also state what you need to do if the chemical is ingested or makes contact with a person’s skin.  Material safety data sheets are a crucial component of the occupational health and safety requirements of a food company. To ensure legal compliance, MSDS’s should be available in every food business at the point where the stated chemical is used or in close proximity. MSDS’s also play an important part in a food safety HACCP system.  MSDS in the food industry

Copy of Material safety data sheets onsite

If your food business is required to hold third-party food safety certification, the majority of the food certification standards also require that a copy of the MSDS for all chemicals used within the food premises or factory site be able for review. Food certification standards include (but not limited to) Safe Quality Food (SQF), The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety (BRC), Woolworths Quality Assurance Standard, McDonalds Supplier Requirements.

Current Issue

As a general rule all the material safety data sheets should be the most current issue. Food auditors will check to see if the MSDS is within the last 5 years from the issue date. It is a good idea to undertake your own mini-audit or internal audit of your food companies material safety data sheets prior to any food certification audit.

Undertake an internal audit

The best way to do this is to physically walk around the food premises or food factory and make note of the name of any chemicals that you come across. Make sure that you check in maintenance sheds and storage rooms, and also any cleaning storerooms. When you have generated your list of chemicals, review the business material safety data sheets paperwork to make sure that information is both available and current.

By undertaking this very simple process, the food business can avoid any compliance fines or being issued a corrective action request during a food certification audit.

 

1 thought on “Material Safety Data Sheets in the Food Industry”

  1. The Chemical industry worldwide has to comply with the international regulations for manufacturing, handling and use of chemicals.

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