Scope, quality policy and quality objectives of a food company
The scope says what the quality system covers; the quality policy is top management's promise; quality objectives are measurable targets that turn the promise into action.
The scope of a quality system
The scope is the first page of a company's quality or food safety manual. It states which products, processes, sites and departments the system covers, which standards and laws it follows (for example the FSS Act and regulations, HACCP, ISO 22000), and any exclusions with reasons. Example for an imaginary ABC Dairy: 'This system covers the receipt of raw milk at our village collection centres, chilling, transport, standardisation, pasteurisation, packing and dispatch of toned milk, curd and paneer at our Madurai plant. Transport by outside contractors is controlled through written contracts.' A clear scope tells staff, auditors and customers exactly what the system promises to control.
Features of a good quality policy
- Short: one paragraph that every worker can understand.
- Issued, signed and dated by top management (the owner or managing director).
- Suits the company: its products, size and customers.
- Commits to safe food, meeting legal requirements (FSS Act and FSSAI regulations), customer satisfaction and continual improvement.
- Gives a framework for setting quality objectives.
- Communicated to all staff: displayed at the entrance, canteen and production floor, in English and the local language.
- Reviewed regularly and updated when the business changes.
Example: quality policy of a dairy
ABC Dairy, Madurai, processes and supplies pasteurised milk, curd and paneer to homes, hospitals and schools in Tamil Nadu. We are committed to (1) supplying safe, wholesome milk products that meet the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and its regulations; (2) buying milk only from tested, hygienic sources and keeping the cold chain unbroken from farm to shop; (3) running a HACCP-based food safety system and training every employee; (4) listening to customers and acting quickly on complaints; and (5) improving our processes every year. Food safety is every employee's responsibility. (Signed: Managing Director, with date.)
SMART quality objectives for the dairy (examples)
| Objective | How it is measured | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Keep raw milk cold | % of tankers arriving at or below the agreed temperature | 100% every month |
| Stop adulterated milk | % of incoming lots tested for adulterants (starch, urea, detergent) | 100% of lots |
| Fewer complaints | Complaints per lakh packs | 20% fewer than last year, by March |
| Trained staff | % of food handlers with FoSTaC training | 100% within the year |
| Clean audits | Major non-conformities in the FSSAI or third-party audit | Zero |
| No unsafe product reaches the market | Number of recalls | Zero |
Quality policy vs quality objectives
Policy says why and what; objectives say how much and by when; SOPs then say how.
A hospital dietary department can write its own scope, policy and objectives, for example 'every therapeutic diet served correct, hot and on time, with zero diet errors this year'.
2 marks: “What is a quality policy?” A short statement, signed by top management, of the company's commitment to safe, legal, quality food, customer satisfaction and continual improvement.
5 marks: “Write a quality policy and two quality objectives for a dairy or bakery.” A one-paragraph signed policy (safe food, legal compliance, trained staff, customers, improvement) plus two SMART objectives with measure and target.
10 marks: “Explain the scope, quality policy and quality objectives of a food processing company, with examples.” Define scope with an example; features of a good policy; an example policy; SMART objectives with a table; policy vs objectives; close.
Scope = where. Policy = why (the promise). Objectives = how much, by when. SOPs then say how.