Shuster Laboratories introduces a new global sourcing quality management (GSQM) programme for companies sourcing food or dietary supplement ingredients/products in China or other offshore locations
The GSQM programme will help US companies - manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, and food service operators - that want to ensure the highest level of confidence in their food or dietary supplement ingredients, products, and systems.
"Recent quality and safety issues with products sourced in China have amplified concern among the industry and consumers.
"If a food or dietary supplement company is buying ingredients overseas, directly or through an agent, then they must have a programme in place to ensure product quality and safety at all critical points in the supply chain," said DKaveh Afshar, chief operating officer of Shuster Laboratories.
Shuster's global sourcing quality management programme includes:.
Gap analysis - a gap analysis is conducted to identify possible risks in a company's supply chain.
The analysis includes supplier evaluation and qualification; product and ingredient evaluation; identification of sampling plan; assessment of cGMP compliance and HACCP plan: and identification of current accreditations, certifications, and registrations.
Product/ingredient testing - analytical, microbiological, and pesticide screening to identify suspected products.
Plant/facility/factory audits - implementation of an inspection and auditing program to assess and monitor quality systems management.
Sourcing/traceability programmes - development of a comprehensive farm-to-table sourcing and traceability programme allows companies to manage sourcing risks.
HACCP programs - incorporation of HACCP into a company's safety program can help reduce and manage risk.
cGMP programs - assistance with implementing cGMPs throughout the manufacturing process.
Shuster has invested in a specialised testing laboratory at STR's Shanghai, China laboratory to support its new GSQM programme.
STR, which is Shuster's parent company, has had QA/QC laboratories in Shanghai and Shenzhen, China since 2003 and employs over 500 professional/technical staff in China.
"The first critical step for companies is conducting a risk assessment.
"From there, they can build an effective safety program to ensure that the quality and safety requirements for sourced ingredients and products are consistently being met.
"Relying on vendor certificates of analysis or reputation is not adequate," said Afshar.
"With a gap analysis, we can figure out what needs to be done and develop a plan that is cost effective.
"Whatever the outcome, the cost of not evaluating your company's risk is higher than identifying potential problems and fixing them".
