STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE ON MANAGEMENT, ALLOCATION, UPDATE AND ACCESS TO THE FBO (FOOD BUSINESS OPERATOR) DATABASE This SOP will be effective as from 1 June 2008 - Created by user Hanlie WesselsSOP FBO DATABASE TC/ae/SOP - FBO DATABASE 748 Page 1 of 13 INDEX Page 1. OBJECTIVE ............................................................................................................. 3 2. SCOPE ..................................................................................................................... 3 3. DEFINITIONS ........................................................................................................... 3 4. REFERENCE TO REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTS ............................................................................. 6 5. ALLOCATION PROCESS ........................................................................................ 6 6. UPDATE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE FBO DATABASE ..................................... 9 7. ACCESS TO THE FBO DATABASE ........................................................................ 9 8. USE OF THE FBO CODES ...................................................................................... 9 9. ROLE-PLAYERS, ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ........................................... 10 10. REVIEW .............................................................................................................. 11 11. RECORDS .......................................................................................................... 11 12. AMENDMENT RECORD .................................................................................... 11 ANNEXURE A ............................................................................................................... 12 ANNEXURE B ............................................................................................................... 13 - Created by user Hanlie WesselsSOP FBO DATABASE TC/ae/SOP - FBO DATABASE 748 Page 2 of 13 1. OBJECTIVE To present a guideline for management, access, update and registration process for the Food Business Operator (FBO) database of the National Department of Agriculture (DoA). 2. SCOPE 2.1 The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) shall be followed by all personnel of the DoA and relevant assignees involved in the objective of the database. The SOP shall include procedures and responsibilities for all role-players to follow. 2.2 The scope of registration is for products subjected to the standards and requirements published under the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990), which requires an Export certificate; excluding the registration of canning, dried fruit, rooibos, honeybush and frozen product factories/facilities for which a separate SOP will be completed. The SOP shall include drying and fermentation that take place on the farm. (See Annexure B for schedule of registered products.) 2.3 The registration of a FBO code is to facilitate the traceability process of tracing and tracking of product one step up and one step down in the supply chain. 2.4 The scope of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be applicable to FBO's producing and handling produce for export with the exception of: 2.4.1 FBO delivering to local fresh produce market; and 2.4.2 Agri production unit (PUC's) producing grain products for delivery to grain storage facilities exporting their produce. 3. DEFINITIONS 3.1 "assignee": a person, undertaking, body, institution, association or board designated under section 2(3) of the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990); 3.2 "Commercial cold storage facilities": means commercial cold storage facilities not located on primary production sites/farms involved in the handling, storage and distribution of products of plant origin, which are intended for export; 3.3 "Container depot": means a place for storage, cleaning, detention and examination of empty containers; 3.4 "Drying facilities": means a facility for drying, handling and chemical treatment of dried fruit, rooibos and honey bush tea destined for further processing; - Created by user Hanlie WesselsSOP FBO DATABASE TC/ae/SOP - FBO DATABASE 748 Page 3 of 13 3.5 "Dry storage facilities": means those facilities involved in the handling, storage and distribution of products of plant origin, which are intended for export. These include commercial storage facilities and exclude facilities only storing own product. These are collection depots and ambient bulk storage facilities. 3.6 "Executive Officer": the officer designated under section 2(1) of the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990); 3.7 "Exporter": means those FBO's that are responsible for ensuring that the products that they supply to the market meet the requirements of the buyers (importers and/or retailers) as well as the minimum regulatory requirements of the importing and exporting countries. They are also responsible for coordinating the export supply chain from farm to fork. 3.8 "Food Business": means any enterprise or undertaking, whether for profit or not, whether public or private carrying out any or all of the stages of handling from, and including primary production up to and including the export of food products. The food business and its sub-units must be allocated a single FBO Code, representing the food business, enterprise or undertaking. "Undertaking" would include third party arrangements or projects managed by third parties, e.g. production contracts operating within or from a food business. Such "virtual" undertakings may be separately identified when appropriate. 3.9 "Food Business Operator (FBO)": means the person or persons responsible for ensuring that the prescribed requirements of these standards are met within the food business under his or her control and include both the management of the food business as well as the person with overall authority on site or in the specific establishment. The FBO will be accountable for third party arrangements, where responsibility for such operations is under the control of a third party food producer. 3.10 "Food Business Operator (FBO) Code": means an alpha-numeric code which has been registered with the Executive Officer of the APS Act by each producer, packhouse packing fruit and vegetables and all other FBO's destined for export. 3.11 "Food Producer": means the person or persons responsible for the food, who may be the food business operator or employee of the food business or a part owner of share block participant or third party; 3.12 "Food Production Unit" & "Food Production Unit Code": means any facility or food business unit or sub-unit that is used for the production of food for export or domestic markets, and which needs to be uniquely identified. Examples include farms, orchards, blocks, fields, tunnels or hot houses. The food production unit would be identified by the Production Unit Code (PUC). One food business could have many food production units; 3.13 "Fresh produce market facilities": means municipal and private fresh produce markets and associated produce handling facilities that are sources of agricultural products of plant origin destined for export; - Created by user Hanlie WesselsSOP FBO DATABASE TC/ae/SOP - FBO DATABASE 748 Page 4 of 13 3.14 "Grain storage facilities": means facilities involved in the handling, storage and distribution of regulated grains and oilseeds (excluding groundnuts) intended for export. The grain storage facility might have a multiple storage silo's or bins. 3.15 "inspector/assessor": the Executive Officer or an officer under his or her control, or an assignee or an employee of an assignee. 3.16 "Off farm packhouse": means permanent packing facilities located on primary production sites/farms and associated cold storage facilities involved in the packing of all products of plant origin coming from that farm and from other farm, OR not located on primary production sites/farms involved in the packing of all products of plant origin that are not subjected to semi-processing or processing procedures, destined for export; 3.17 "On-farm cold storage": means cold storage facilities located on primary production sites/farms involved in the handling, storage and distribution of products of plant origin coming from only that farm, which are intended for export. These are facilities that serve as cooling and holding stores or are associated with onfarm packhouses; Note: These FBO types do not have to register for an FBO code. 3.18 "On-farm packhouse": means permanent packing facilities and associated cold storage facilities located on primary production sites/farms involved in the packing of all products of plant origin coming from only that farm, that are not subjected to semi-processing or processing procedures, destined for export; 3.19 "Processing plant": means a factory where the plant product is subjected to a process which alters its original state and the product is graded/classified and packed, and in this context means canning of fruit and vegetables, freezing of fruit and vegetables, pasteurization and packing of rooibos and honey bush tea and cleaning, sorting and packing of dried fruit; 3.20 "Retail distribution centre": means local retailer depots used for the collating of product and picking of orders for stores of the retailer, which might be outside the borders of the RSA, and will thus be regarded as exporting of product. 3.21 "Seaport terminal": means facilities that are concerned with the receiving, stacking, storage and loading of export palletized and containerised perishable cargo; 3.22 "Silo": means the bins used for bulk storage of grain destined for export; 3.23 "Transport operator": means transport companies involved in the transportation of products of plant origin, which are intended for export. This refers to transport that is used for example, from the packhouse to the commercial cold storage facility, depots or terminals etc. This excludes on-farm transport (e.g. from the orchard to the packhouse) and the transport of empty containers. Note: On-farm cold storage are not treated as a separate FBO and are assumed to be operating under the on-farm packhouse code. - Created by user Hanlie WesselsSOP FBO DATABASE TC/ae/SOP - FBO DATABASE 748 Page 5 of 13 4. REFERENCE TO REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTS 4.1 All relevant current S.A. Directives and export standards and requirements shall be adhered to at all times. 4.2 South African "Standards regarding the food hygiene and food safety of regulated agricultural food products of plant origin destined for export" - R707 of 13 May 2005. 4.3 SOP on Sampling and Analysis of Agricultural products of plant origin destined for export to determine agro chemical residue levels and risk assessment as part of export inspection and certification in terms of the Agricultural Products Standards Act. 4.4 SOP on Official Export certification of regulated agricultural products of plant origin destined for export in terms of the Agricultural Products Standards Act. 5. ALLOCATION PROCESS 5.1 All new FBO's handling regulated produce of plant origin destined for export must apply for a valid FBO code with the DoA (Department of Agriculture). 5.2 This will be done by accessing the departmental website address www.nda.agric.za/docs/plantquality/default.htm or on request from DoA or assignee, and completing the "Application for Allocation of Codes for Food Business Operators" form, and submitting it to the fax, e-mail address or postal address as indicated on the application form. 5.3 The FBO must supply the DoA with all valid supporting documentation with regards to this allocation, i.e. commercial certificates for Globalgap, Nature's Choice, HACCP, BRC, ISO 22000 etc. 5.4 A separate registration form must be completed for each FBO type or code applied for. When an FBO owner has more than one FBO type, each FBO type must receive a separate allocated code, i.e. farm, on-farm packhouse. 5.5 Exporters of seasonal products, and which might not be aware whether they will be exporting for the coming season, may indicate that they intend to export, although they may not be. 5.6 FBO's (packhouses, processing plants etc.) must stipulate what FBO's producers will be supplying them with product, and also what FBO's they will be supply to (transporters/exporters). 5.7 The DoA will verify the submitted detail, and allocate a unique code to the applicant. This verification might entail: - Created by user Hanlie WesselsSOP FBO DATABASE TC/ae/SOP - FBO DATABASE 748 Page 6 of 13 5.7.1 An administrative verification/control process, whereby the process described on the application are verified with the type of FBO's to be allocated, e.g. an FBO can not allocate both an Off-farm packhouse and a commercial cold store, as the commercial cold store activities and requirements are already covered within the off-farm packhouse requirements. 5.7.2 A verification whereby the process and FBO's to be allocated might be done telephonically. 5.7.3 The DoA to request the PPECB or APIS to verify the allocation detail on site. 5.8 This allocated code will then be communicated to the applicant within 10 working days from day of application, either by fax or e-mail. 5.9 All mandatory fields within the application must be completed, for the application to be processed. Applications that are not completed will be returned to the applicant within 2 working days from the day of receipt of the application. 5.10 On successful application, the DoA will: 5.10.1 5.10.2 5.10.3 process the application on the internal DoA access database; publish all updates on a fortnightly basis on the FBO database; and copy PPECB with new allocations per e-mail on a weekly basis. - Created by user Hanlie WesselsSOP FBO DATABASE TC/ae/SOP - FBO DATABASE 748 Page 7 of 13 Diagram 1: FBO & Special market registration process flow FBO DoA:FSQA DoA: Plant Health PPECB Start Exporting? yes Register with the DoA: FSQA for a valid FBO code by accessing their website @ www.nda.agric.za/docs/ plantquality/default.htm. PPECB can receive request from the DoA to verify FBO registration detail on-site. Verify FBO detail. No Complete the registration form and submit it via fax, post or e-mail to the address indicated on the application form. Also include all relevant supporting documentation (certificates etc.) Receive valid FBO code per registration by fax/e-mail within 10 working days. Approved? Yes Allocate a valid FBO code & capture application detail on the FBO database & publish relevant detail on the DoA website. PPECB receives copies of new allocations Exporting to a special market? Register with the DoA: Plant Health for a special market registration. Yes Verify special market registration. No No APIS visit farm/inspection facility (when applicable) Approved? Yes Update all existing information with the DoA during the allocated update time slots. Place on SPECIAL MARKET database as ‘TRUE’ for the specific special market. End No confirmation will be sent by the DoA End - Created by user Hanlie WesselsSOP FBO DATABASE TC/ae/SOP - FBO DATABASE 748 Page 8 of 13 6. UPDATE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE FBO DATABASE 6.1 The DoA will call for a yearly mandatory update of the FBO information on the FBO database. All FBO's will be required to either confirm amendment or reregister existing information on the FBO database. Annexure A must be completed if no details have changed. 6.2 These mandatory updates will be done in allocated time slots per product categories. 6.3 FBO's that have not updated their detail in the allocated time slot, will be made in-active on the database, and will not be allowed to operate under these outdated codes. 6.4 When a FBO's detail, outside of these updating slots, changes, it is the FBO's responsibility to update the information with the DoA. 6.5 The PPECB and APIS will, when conducting quality inspections and food safety audits, verify the FBO allocations and initiate an update with DoA: FSQA. 7. ACCESS TO THE FBO DATABASE 7.1 All FBO's can access the FBO database on the following website address: www.nda.agric.za/docs/plantquality/default.htm. Here the FBO owner, FBO name, FBO code and FBO type can be viewed. 8. USE OF THE FBO CODES 8.1 According to the product standards and requirements for all regulated products, the outer containers exported must be marked with the relevant farm (PUC) or packhouse (PHC) code. The PHC code can only be allocated on the outer container if the packhouses or processing facilities can prove that they have a system in place whereby they can identify individual growers or producers to the facility. 8.2 This code must be indicated as prescribed by the relevant product standards and requirements. This implies the FBO code for fresh fruit and vegetables and the factory code for canned, frozen fruit and vegetables, and dried fruit. 8.3 Processors of rooibos and honey bush tea must indicate the code either as FBO code followed by the allocated number, or indicate the FBO number at the end of the lot identification on the product outer containers. - Created by user Hanlie WesselsSOP FBO DATABASE TC/ae/SOP - FBO DATABASE 748 Page 9 of 13 9. NO. ROLE-PLAYERS, ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES KEY BUSINESS PROCESS 1. 1.1 Allocation process All new FBO's must register with the DoA 1.2 Completing of the application form and supply of supporting documentation Processing new application for FBO codes within 10 working days from receipt of information Verification of the application detail Update of the FBO database with new allocations 1.3 1.4 1.5 KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURE OUTPUT RESP. 100% of all exporting FBO's to register. FBO allocation Allocated FBO's FBO 100% accurately completed applications FBO information No delays in the allocation process FBO Processing time: Once per fortnight 100% of applications processed within measure FBO application DoA: FSQA No wrongly allocated codes 5 working days No duplication of codes & no allocation errors 100% of applications updated on website within the 5 working days 100% accurate information on database FBO allocation Uniquely allocated code communicated to the applicant Accurate database Updated FBO database to be used by FBO's and assignee Accurate database 100% of applications and updates copied to PPECB FBO allocations and updates 100% updated information Update of FBO information Verification of FBO detail on site 1.7 Copy of all new applications to PPECB 2. 2.1 Update and maintenance of FBO database Call for mandatory yearly All FBO's to update or updates of all FBO confirm their information information within the indicated time slot TC/ae/SOP - FBO DATABASE 748 INPUT Exporting producers identified during export certification No of returned applications to the FBO 1.6 DRAFT - SOP FBO DATABASE REVISION _________________ OBJECTIVES Verification of FBO detail whilst conducting food safety audits 100% updates according to the DoA FBO database have been received FBO allocation FBO Database DOC REQ. FBO application form FBO application form FBO application form DoA n/a DoA n/a PPECB, APIS n/a All updates received by PPECB DoA: FSQA Completed and approved new applications received Accurate database DoA n/a Page 10 of 13 NO. 2.2 2.3 3. 3.1 10. KEY BUSINESS PROCESS FBO's that have not updated information will be made inactive on the database Verification of FBO detail on site Use of FBO Codes All outer containers of produce destined for export must comply with the product standards and requirements KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURE Unauthorised FBO's isolated with the Export certification process Verification of FBO detail whilst conducting food safety audits PPECB EPI and inland rejections OBJECTIVES 100% updated information 100% accurate information on database 100% Compliance INPUT OUTPUT RESP. DOC REQ. Updates received from the mandatory updates FBO Database Updated FBO database DoA n/a Accurate database PPECB, APIS n/a FBO Database Traceable containers/ products FBO / PPECB / DoA Product standards and requirements. Non compliance FBO's REVIEW The SOP will be reviewed annually, or when a mandatory update is required. 11. RECORDS All records as stated in this SOP shall be kept for a period of two years and in accordance of DoA archive procedure. 12. AMENDMENT RECORD AMENDMENT NO. 1 DRAFT - SOP FBO DATABASE REVISION _________________ TC/ae/SOP - FBO DATABASE 748 ENTERED BY J.M. Wessels/T.M. Chipane DATE 15/04/2008 Page 11 of 13 ANNEXURE A CONTACT PERSON(S) FROM THE DoA AND PPECB CONTACT PERSONS FROM THE DoA: Contact person(s) Products Contact details Hanlie Wessels Divisional manager: Fresh fruit and flowers Tel. (012) 319-6058 Bernard Magagula Deciduous fruit Tel. (012) 319-6512 David Malan Divisional manager: Animal and processed Tel. (012) 319-6049 products Niel Earsmus Dried fruit Tel. (012) 319-6027 Theo van Rensburg Frozen fruit and vegetables Tel. (012) 319-6020 Anne-Marie Bourquin Honeybush and Rooibos Tel. (012) 319-6059 Billy Makhafola Divisional manager: Agronomy and Vegetables Tel. (012) 319-6023 Thompson Mahumani Grains and vegetables Tel. (012) 319-6387 Mooketsi Mosome Grains and vegetables Tel. (012) 319-6334 CONTACT PERSONS FROM PPECB: Contact person(s) Products Contact details Dawn Diergaardt Programme Manager: Official Food Safety Audits Tel. (021) 872-4566 Estelle Visser Standards Co-ordinator Tel. (021) 930-1134 Lindy Groenewald Programme Manager: Food Safety Tel. (021) 930-1134 DRAFT - SOP FBO DATABASE REVISION _________________ TC/ae/SOP - FBO DATABASE 748 Page 12 of 13 ANNEXURE B EXPORT STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS REGARDING PRODUCTS (No. R. 1983 of 23 August 1991 as amended by Notice 1174 of 26 November 1993 and Notice 1171 of 22 July 2005) PRODUCTS IN RESPECT OF WHICH EXPORT STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN STIPULATED A. Animal products A-1 A-2 A-3 A-4 A-5 A-6 B. F. Dairy products Meat Poultry meat Eggs Karakul pelt Hides and skins F-1 F-2 F-3 F-4 G. B-9. B-10. B-11. Apricot and peach kernels Frozen fruit and vegetables Dried fruit Canned vegetables Canned fruit Canned mushrooms Canned food Rooibos tea Rooibos and rooibos mixtures Jam, jelly and marmalade Canned pasta products Honeybush and green honeybush Citrus and subtropical fruit C-1 C-2 C-3 C-4 C-5 C-6 C-7 C-8 C-9 C-10. C-11. C-12. C-13 C-14 D. Flowers (excluding Chinkerinchees) Fresh cut flowers ornamental foliage Chinkerinchees Ornithogalum bulbs Proteas and Processed products B-1 B-2 B-3 B-4 B-5 B-6 B-7 B-8 C. Flowers Citrus fruit Fruit, excluding citrus and certain deciduous fruit Avocados Litchis Mangos Pineapples Strawberries Melons and watermelons Kiwifruit Papayas Granadillas Guavas Cactus pears Green bananas Grain and agronomy products G-1 G-2 G-3 G-4 G-5 G-6 G-7 G-8 G-9 G-10 G-11 G-12 G-13 G-14 G-15 G-16 G-17. G-18. Buckwheat Dry beans Grass seeds Groundnuts Grain sorghum Oil seeds Wheat Maize Maize products Maize: Lesser known types Leguminous seeds Tobacco Feed products Vegetables Potatoes Onions Popcorn Soya beans Deciduous fruit D-1 D-2 D-3 D-4 D-5 D-6 D-7 D-8. Apples Apricots Grapes Table grapes Cherries Pears Peaches and nectarines Plums and prunes Persimmons DRAFT - SOP FBO DATABASE REVISION _________________ TC/ae/SOP - FBO DATABASE 748 Page 13 of 13 fresh