Resources
Quality Chekd Dairies provides technical assistance, consultation services, self-assessment tools and informational bulletins to its members utilizing both internal and external resources with long term experience and expertise. Support is available as it relates to production, quality, sanitation, regulatory and other aspects of dairy manufacturing.
Consultation and Technical Assistance
The Quality Chekd team offers technical and consultation services ranging from on-site evaluations to guidance via telephone and email. Fees for internal resources are based on membership level and are competitive with outside industry consulting groups; many of these services are complementary for Quality Chekd members. (Click here for current fee structure.) Staff consultation and technical assistance includes:
- Management Assessments
An objective assessment of management at all organizational levels is a service offered to identify internal strengths and weaknesses and to provide recommendations to enhance operational capability and success. Assessments include on-site observations of the day-to-day functioning of the operation, personnel interviews and skill set analyses of current management. - Operational Assessments and Consultations
Operations related resources are available to address quality and production related issues including product shelf life failures, material shrinkage and poor line efficiencies caused by the process, scheduling or personnel. - Quality Assurance, Lab Evaluations
Objective reviews and verifications of Quality Management Systems, Lab Procedures, GFSI compliance and HACCP/FSMA Preventative Controls will gauge audit/inspection readiness and enhance the organization’s overall food safety culture. Assessments are straightforward and strictly confidential, enabling the organization to internally identify and address opportunities for improvements at all levels. - SQF Consultations and Gap Analyses
With the frequent revisions to the SQF Code, it s necessary to continuously review procedures, policies and protocols to assure ongoing compliance with SQF/GFSI certification requirements. To assist you in these evaluations, Quality Chekd has a certified SQF Consultant on staff to conduct the pre-audit assessments, plant inspections and employee interviews that can enhance scores and facilitate audit readiness.
Self Assessment Tools
To support members in their internal auditing and self evaluation processes, Quality Chekd has developed comprehensive Self-Assessment tools based on the most current regulatory, GSSI and industry best practice guidelines. These checklists are utilized for Quality Chekd on-site evaluations and are also made available in editable formats for member facilities to use internally.
Bulletins
Quality Chekd periodically issues bulletins discussing a number of quality and food safety topics relevant to the dairy processor. Based on member request and feedback, Quality Chekd bulletins are written with a dairy focus and cover issues ranging from troubleshooting and product evaluation to audit readiness and more.
Quality & Food Safety Information
The Quality Chekd staff strives to continuously keep our members up to date on the most current industry best practices as well as information from multiple sources to assist the membership in producing safe foods of the highest quality. Many excellent organizations and websites provide the food and dairy industries with facts and guidelines to assist in operating profitably and in maintaining high quality and food safety standards.
Regulatory Information and Updates
Dairy processors can be subject to a number of regulatory schemes that can at times seem overwhelming. Compliance information, guidance, and regulatory inspection findings, recall notices and other important postings are available online and can access through quick links on the Quality Chekd members-only website.
Expert External Resources
Quality Chekd endorses supply partners and contractors who are highly qualified, experienced and regarded best in their fields of expertise. Fee for external resources vary depending on the nature of the issue and its complexity; charges are negotiated between the member and the consulting party. Contact us for a list of providers that currently serve our membership.