I have a few questions regarding raw material specification, as I believe this topic should be explored a bit further:
1. What key details should be included in a raw material product specification from a supplier?
2. Do I need to obtain a Certificate of Analysis (COA) with every delivery, or only for high-risk materials?
3. How do I handle multiple suppliers providing the same ingredient but with different specs (e.g., moisture, pH, shelf life)?
4. Are there any legal requirements in the UK/EU for what must be included in a raw material spec sheet?
I'm so glad you posted this question
@Marzena - we chatted about this a bit just the other week didn't we.
it actually came up again just this week - I got a quote for promotional branded thermos flasks and asked for the food contact statement. The supplier sent me a lab report showing levels of chromium at 16.6 (no units listed) then a limit in the next column of >10.5% only being suitable for non-cooking applications. Well obviously this isn't food, but regardless of whether it's a consumer products item like this example, or a packaging material or a food or supplement... the principles are all the same.
- What's on the spec is what is most relevant to the product in terms of description (is it what the customer needs, could relate to physical attributes, packaging format, quantity, origin and any other claims) and then risk factors (micro, chemical physical, allergenic hazards). Quality aspects should also feature.
- Then when the order is received, the COA or CofC is the guarantee that the batch/lot meets the requirements in the spec.
The lab report I received was not a spec, nor a COA, it was simply a lab report - and the result failed! The supplier told me they sell 20K units a month and their suppliers trust them. I replied it was not a question of trust but a question of what the data tells us. Setting aside the failed result for now - is a test for chromium the most relevant concern for a flask containing potentially boiling product intended for consumption? That is indeed the question. It's for the suppliers to have conducted a product safety risk assessment - HACCP / HARA / FMEA or similar to identify risk factors - then the specification should contain facts to reassure the buyer that those risks are mitigated by showing the product is within relevant limits related to those risks. A steel thermos will have other contaminants, potentially nickel. But what about the other components such as the plastic moulded lid and seals? These should all be considered and contained within a food contact statement / declaration of conformity. Such information may be a document separate to the specification or combined within it. Either way, we need to be asking for this information and understanding the actual results.
