Validation of a Food Safety Management System (FSMS)

As Food Safety Management Systems/HACCP Systems have evolved over the past few years, Auditors are looking beyond the 12 Codex Alimentarius Steps and asking more challenging questions regarding Validation: Validation of CCP, Validation of OPRPs and Validation of Pre-requisites. As Validation is not one of the Seven Codex Principles a certain level of confusion exists amongst Food Safety Professionals as to what exactly is Validation and how does it differ to Verification. There are three specific references to Validation in the BRC Global Food Safety Standard and four in the TFMS. The requirement for “a Validation Study” to be reviewed annually or after changes in equipment or procedures is a common requirement by 2nd and 3rd party auditors. The confusion regarding validation is also current in the USA which led to the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) issuing a number of documents to clarify the requirements of HACCP Validation due to the widespread lack of understanding. There are two distinct elements to Validation:
  1. Scientific or Technical Support for the HACCP System
  2. Initial practical in-plant demonstration proving the HACCP system can perform as expected
These documents give U.S. food business operators clear guidelines and examples on how to undertake validation studies and removes much of the confusion and doubt that exists. In the Food Industry, Validation is often undertaken on equipment and processes that have been installed for a number of years and because there was no formal validation at the time of installation, It is often done retrospectively. When the opportunity arise with a new build the DQ, IQ, OQ & PQ (Design Qualification, Installation Qualification, Operational Qualification and Performance Qualification) approach is to be recommended. This Validation course looks at how the traditional FSIS Part I & Part II approach can be merged with the DQ, IQ, OQ & PQ concept.

Delivery Mode

  • Public
    Programmes

    Dates
    13 Jun 2024
    21 Nov 2024
  • Virtual
    Training
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  • Customised
    In-Company
    Programmes

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SnapshotSnapshot

Course Code
FS030

What's covered?

  • Course Introduction
  • Definition of Validation
  • Food Safety Legislation
  • 178/2002, 852/2004
  • Food Safety Model & Supporting Pre-requisites
  • Risk Assessment Techniques
  • FSIS expectation on Validation as per CFR
  • Part I & Part II Validation
  • DQ, IQ, OQ, PQ
  • Case Study exercises for Validation of CCPs, OPRPs and PRPs

Who should participate?

  • Food Safety Team Leaders
  • Food Safety Team Members
  • Regulators
  • Engineers
  • FBO Service provider
  • Compliance Manager

What will I learn?

Participants achieve the following learning outcomes from the programme;

  • Understand the structure of a Food Safety Management System
  • Understand the relationship between Validation and Verification
  • Understand the two distinct elements of Validation (Part I & Part II)
  • Understand how to source scientific supporting evidence to ensure the FSMS is theoretically sound (Part I)
  • Be able to undertake an initial in-plant Validation exercise (Part II)
  • Understand how DQ, IQ, OQ & PQ can support the FSIS Part I & Part II approach
  • Know how to validate CCPs, oPRPs and PRPs
  • Know the BRC and FSSC Validation expectation

Who are the tutors?

Denis Kiely

Denis has 25 years of experience working in various sectors of the Food Industry specialising in Food Safety / HACCP, Process Control, Legal Compliance and Auditing.  His main skill is removing the jargon and mystique attached to what is now considered the most important element of business continuity in the food industry, food safety.  Denis has worked with competent authorities both Irish and European, multinational food and beverage manufacturers plus Irish SME food business’.  He also has extensive experience working with Irish, UK and European retailers.

The manufacturer and retail of safe food requires investment in the three Ps; Premises, Plant & People.  The last of these – People – arguably the most important but perhaps least reliable if not trained well.  This is the key message that Denis focuses on in all training programmes he delivers regardless of the audience.  Food Safety must be taken out of the laboratory or technical department and brought down to factory floor level.  This can only be done with strong leadership and excellent communication skills where the concept of team and collective responsibility is fostered and rewarded.

Denis has a BSc Food Science & Technology, is a Registered Food Safety Auditor with IRCA (International Register of Certificated Auditors), an elected Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health, an Associate Member of Chartered Quality Assurance and holds an NUI Certificate in Training & Continuing Education. Denis has worked at management level in a number of food industries and is one of Ireland’s leading experts on Food Safety and is constantly in demand by major food manufacturers and food retailers for his expertise in this area. He is a gifted trainer, expert at delivering complex information in plain English in language that is clearly understood, ensuring delegates leave his training programmes empowered with new knowledge and confident to implement.

Denis Kiely is a Qualified PCQI and a Qualified Lead Instructor in Preventive Controls for Human Food.


Joan Brien

A Food Safety Adviser with over 10 years’ experience working in Technical/ Quality management roles, implementing food safety standards and providing training & mentoring services across a broad spectrum of industries – including dairy and meat (slaughtering, boning and further processing).

Auditing experience includes implementation of a tailored supplier auditing program including supplier risk assessment & KPI scoring system; supplier auditing, BRC Food; Storage & Distribution & Agents & Brokers Standard V3 preparatory audits & gap analysis and internal auditing in line with customer standards. Joan has a Certificate in Training and Continuing Education from NUI Maynooth


How do we train and support you?

In-House Courses
For In-House courses, the tutor will contact you in advance to discuss the course programme in more detail in order to tailor it specifically for your organisation.

Course Manual
Delegates will receive a very comprehensive course manual.

Joan Brien

Duration: 1 day
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Joan Brien

Duration: 1 day
Virtual Training: £345
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  • 13 Jun 2024
    Delivery: Virtual Training
    Location: Virtual
    Book Date
  • 21 Nov 2024
    Delivery: Virtual Training
    Location: Virtual
    Book Date

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