The newly published guidance document contains information on tools, procedures and methods that can be used to combat contamination of suppliers’ milk.
IDF began work on the guidance following the melamine crisis in 2008 which killed six children and sickened 300,000 people.
At the time, the dairy trade and science body also started to develop a testing standard for melamine, which was published in November last year and is due to be adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission this summer.
The testing standard was designed to combat the immediate threat posed by melamine whereas the newly published supply chain guidance has a broader scope.
Claus Heggum, leader of the task force in charge of the publication, said the aim of the new guidance is to anticipate problems that could “compromise the integrity of milk in the supply chain in the future.”
Who is the guidance for?
And although the melamine crisis prompted IDF to pursue the project, Heggum said it is not just targeted at the Chinese dairy industry.
“These guidelines are aimed at dairy companies in all countries and can be used as part of their self-assurance systems. They are not targeting specifically the Chinese industry.” Heggum told DairyReporter.com.
Explaining the basic approach of the guidelines, he added: “The underlying principles are those applied in Quality Assurance (QA) systems, i.e. systematic approach based upon the Plan, Do, Check and Act approach. These generic principles have been adapted to this particular purpose and include well known principles from HACCP and risk analysis.”
The new guide - IDF Bulletin 449 “Integrated Supply Chain Management” can be ordered on the IDF website.