Summary
In short
- A challenge test record is a record used in KnowQuality that records a deliberate inoculation study to confirm the product controls the organism of concern across its life. It is built against BRCGS cl.5.1 and forms part of the Labelling and Packaging programme.
- Carried out for higher risk products. Completed with a specialist laboratory.
- The template holds 49 fields across 5 sections.
- Scoring is studies complete, where high is good.
- BRCGS is brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards. A family of GFSI recognised certification schemes covering food, packaging and storage and distribution.
- It connects to the rest of the library: links Shelf life, HACCP.
What it is
What it is
What is a challenge test record?
A challenge test record is a record used in KnowQuality that records a deliberate inoculation study to confirm the product controls the organism of concern across its life. It is built against BRCGS cl.5.1 and forms part of the Labelling and Packaging programme.
When is a challenge test record completed?
A challenge test record is completed at the moment the event happens, rather than reconstructed afterwards. Carried out for higher risk products.
When to use it
When to use it, and when not to
This record is one step in a larger programme. Using it for work that belongs to a neighbouring template produces records that are hard to report on later.
Use it for
- The event or activity this record covers has occurred, or is about to
- The workspace is being set up, or the register needs an entry added or retired
- You are running the Labelling and Packaging programme and this is one of its steps
- A linked record needs this one to exist: links shelf life, haccp
Not for
- Shelf Life Study Record, which records the study that establishes or extends a shelf life, covering storage conditions, test points and criteria.
- Sensory Evaluation Record, which records a structured taste, smell and appearance assessment against a reference standard.
- New Product Development Gate Review, which reviews a product at each development gate for food safety, legality, capability and shelf life before it moves on.
- Anything outside KnowQuality, which belongs in the workspace that owns that process
Standards
What it is built against
BRCGSBrand Reputation Compliance Global Standards
A family of GFSI recognised certification schemes covering food, packaging and storage and distribution.
BRCBRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety
The earlier name for BRCGS. Clause numbers refer to the food safety standard.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the challenge test record template based on?+
It is built against BRCGS cl.5.1. BRCGS is brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards. A family of GFSI recognised certification schemes covering food, packaging and storage and distribution. BRC is bRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety. The earlier name for BRCGS. Clause numbers refer to the food safety standard.
What sections does the challenge test record contain?+
There are 5 sections: header, design, product characteristics, result, result. Together they hold 49 fields, 38 of which are required.
How many challenge test record records should we have?+
This is a singleton. One record per workspace, set up once and maintained, rather than one per event. Other templates refer back to it.
Which programme does the challenge test record belong to?+
It is part of Labelling and Packaging. The leading cause of recalls caught by a two person check at every changeover.
How is a challenge test record scored?+
Scoring is studies complete. High is good. Scores exist to make the form tell you something, not to produce a percentage for its own sake.
Can the challenge test record template be changed?+
Yes. Every field, option, score and conditional rule is editable, and the links to other templates come with it. Most teams install it as it is, run it for a cycle, then adjust.
The agents
What the agents do with it
The form is the easy part. Keeping it current, routing it to the right owner and holding the evidence together is the work that actually slips.
Holds the challenge test record library against your registers, routes each record to its owner, and keeps the evidence trail together.
Coordinates the crew, rolls completion and exceptions into one view, and holds every write for your approval before it touches a record.
This template lives in KnowQuality — quality and food safety. HACCP, nonconformance, traceability, laboratory and customer complaints.
Sources
Sources
- BRCGS — Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards
- BRC — BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety