The FSMS Continuous Improvement Procedure establishes methods and requirements for determining, collecting, and analyzing appropriate data to demonstrate the effectiveness of the food safety management system. The procedure also provides guidance for continual improvement. It applies to all departments included in the food safety management system. (8 pages, 1244 words)

FSMS Continuous Improvement Responsibilities:

The Food Safety Team Leader is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and publishing measurement data; for determining the root cause of process and product food safety problems, and for recommending action to resolve those problems.

Department Managers are responsible for producing and using process monitoring and measuring data to continuously improve the company’s Food Safety Management System. Department Managers are also responsible for implementing the Food Safety Team Leader’s recommendations for improvement.

Managers are responsible for reviewing QA summaries of data analysis and recommending improvements to the system(s) or process(es) under review.

FSMS Continuous Improvement Definitions:

Special Cause Variability – Uncontrolled deviation from the normal distribution of data or events which would otherwise be expected from the system (e.g., failing to maintain/recalibrate production equipment often results in increased product variability). Special causes of variability may be identified, analyzed, and eliminated to bring the system back into control.

Common Cause Variability – Normal distribution of data or events, which is a function of system design. Common cause variability may only be reduced through re-engineering the system. Common cause variability may be reduced, but not eliminated.

Process Capability – Comparison of the normal distribution of data or events with the customer requirement for control of such variation (Specification Limits). A process capability of 1.0 indicates that the process three sigma control limits are equal to the customer specification limits. A process capability of 2.0 indicates that the process three sigma control limits are half of the customer specification limits. This condition, known as six-sigma capability, means fewer than 3.4 errors per million attempts.

Deming Cycle – The process-based improvement cycle, also known as the “Plan-Do-Check-Act” cycle, used or referred to in various ISO standards.