How do you manage allergen risk when a supplier changes their ingredients without telling you?

[Marzena STC & QTC]

Hi all, just wanted to raise something that I think could catch a lot of businesses out. Suppliers sometimes quietly change their formulations, processing aids, or allergen warnings and the customer only finds out when a new spec sheet arrives, or sometimes not at all.
Would love to hear from people who've dealt with this, what processes or agreements do you have in place to make sure suppliers notify you of any changes? And how do you make sure your own labels and risk assessments stay up to date when that happens?
Really interested in what's working practically for people, rather than just what the standard says on paper

 

[Cathy Gladwin]

@Marzena STC & QTC this is really difficult - it's happened to me where the bulking agent changed from rice protein (if I remember right) to wheat or soy protein - that I can't remember except that it was an allergen. I think someone noticed a slight colour or texture change and when we asked the supplier they were, "oh yeah sorry we forgot to say..." like it was not a big deal at all.

The issue is that the spec only gets reviewed really infrequently - BRCGS food standard says every 3 years (3.6.4) right, or when promoted because something changes, but how do you know if you don't know?

I'm setting up a relatively new system right now, and your post has made me think about this. I already had a step for me to confirm for every purchase (and repurchase) of a material that I have checked the spec is still appropriate for my purchase - but that doesn't address this topic today. I think that when I confirm the quote - I must get the supplier to confirm (even just by email) that the spec hasn't changed. Then we're covered on both angles.