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Freshcare Releases FSQ4.2
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he Freshcare Food Safety & Quality Standard — Edition 4.2 (FSQ4.2) was released to participating businesses and industry on November 9, 2020. The update and release of the FSQ4.2 Standard ensures Freshcare meets the Global Food Safety Initiative, GFSI v2020 benchmark requirements. A six-month transition period to update to the FSQ4.2 Standard, is in place for all existing program participants. External Freshcare audits conducted from Monday May 3, 2021 will be to the FSQ4.2 Standard.
What are the changes? The FSQ4.2 changes in summary include: • Greater emphasis and focus on Food Safety Culture — see Factsheet M1 • Updates to M3 Training and development, requiring annual reviews of workers’ training needs • Updates to F13 Product identification and traceability, requiring dispatch records to be maintained and a test of product traceability • Updated M4 Internal Audit Report Form • Freshcare Rules now found in Section 1 of the FSQ4.2 Standard • Freshcare Rules now provide guidance on Unannounced Audits; and the Two-Part Audit Process. To support the release of the FSQ4.2 Standard, a Transition Guide that details the specific changes has been developed and can be freely downloaded from: www.freshcare.com.au/standards/ fsq4-2
Can I update straight from FSQ4 to FSQ4.2? Dependant on your audit cycle, some businesses could progress straight from FSQ4 to a re-certification audit to FSQ4.2.
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If your audit is to take place prior to May 3, 2021 and you would like to go to audit to FSQ4.2, you will need to advise your Certification Body at the time of scheduling, as some Certification Bodies will not offer audits to FSQ4.2 until May 3, 2021.
How do I access the FSQ4.2 Standard and resources? The FSQ4.2 Standard and supporting resources including record keeping forms and factsheets can be freely downloaded from the Freshcare website: www. freshcare.com.au/standards/fsq4-2 Additional resources are available to participants from FreshcareOnline or hard copy resources can be purchased from www.freshcare.com.au/shop
Why has Freshcare updated the Standard to FSQ4.2? In 2019, Freshcare was benchmarked against the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), to ensure ongoing domestic and global market acceptance of the Freshcare Standards. The Global Food Safety Initiative released GFSI v2020 benchmark criteria in February 2020 and set a maximum period of time that a Certification Program Owners (such as Freshcare) had to update the Standard and supporting program. The Freshcare Food Safety and Quality Standard has therefore been updated to FSQ4.2 to ensure Freshcare certification remains compliant with the GFSI requirements.
What if I need assistance with the update to FSQ4.2? If you require any assistance with the changes to the FSQ4.2 Standard, please contact the Freshcare Office on: 1300 853 508 or email info@freshcare. com.au The Freshcare Trainer network is also available to provide local, tailored assistance to help with the update to FSQ4.2. For trainer contact details visit: www.freshcare.com.au/training/trainers
If I’m new to Freshcare do I go straight to FSQ4.2? Yes, new businesses will be able to undertake training and access resources to the FSQ4.2 Standard. Training is available via the Freshcare Trainer network or Freshcare eLearning. It is recommended that a minimum of three months’ records are in place prior to new businesses being audited.
Additional Questions? Check out the FSQ4.2 — Q & A’s on the Freshcare website: www.freshcare.com. au/standards/fsq4-2 Or email your questions to: info@ freshcare.com.au
Impacted by extraordinary circumstances? Businesses are reminded that if they are experiencing difficulties or financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; or have been impacted by extraordinary circumstances; they should contact the Freshcare office for options.
