Does food need a safety data sheet?
Do I need a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for food products? In short, it is not necessary to have a safety data sheet for food products specifically. However, it is essential to have a safety data sheet for all chemical products that you hold within your food service business.
OSHA only requires safety data sheets (SDSs) for hazardous products or chemicals. GLT Products, along with other manufacturers are not required to provide SDSs for non-hazardous materials or products. OSHA has left it up to the producer whether or not they should provide SDSs for non-hazardous materials.
Exempt items generally include food or alcoholic beverages which are sold, used, or prepared in a retail establishment (such as a grocery store, restaurant, or drinking place), and foods intended for personal consumption by employees while in the workplace.
The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires chemical manufacturers, distributors, or importers to provide Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) (formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheets or MSDSs) to communicate the hazards of hazardous chemical products.
A food safety plan is a set of documents that shows how a food business operates safely. It is a requirement for almost all food producers under FDA regulation.
What is a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)? An SDS (formerly known as MSDS) includes information such as the properties of each chemical; the physical, health, and environmental health hazards; protective measures; and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical.
OSHA requires that employers maintain copies of SDSs for each chemical in the workplace classified as hazardous. Although some hazardous chemicals, such as household cleaning products, do not require the employer to maintain an SDS if used for the same purpose, duration, and frequency as a consumer.
The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) (29 CFR 1910.1200(g)), revised in 2012, requires that the chemical manufacturer, distributor, or importer provide Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) (formerly MSDSs or Material Safety Data Sheets) for each hazardous chemical to downstream users to communicate information on these hazards.
A safety data sheet (SDS), previously known as a material safety data sheet) is an important information source for eliminating or minimising the risks associated with the use, handling and storage of hazardous chemicals (hazardous substances and/or dangerous goods) in workplaces.
Employers will be required to make sure that all hazardous products (as defined by the Hazardous Products Regulations have an up-to-date SDS when it enters the workplace. The SDSs must be readily available to the workers who are exposed to the hazardous product, and to the health and safety committee or representative.
Do I need an SDS for white out?
You may need an SDS for common household products such as Windex, Wite-Out, etc. Safe and Compliant.
The purpose of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), is to provide information on the hazards of working with a chemical and procedures that should be used to ensure safety. SDSs are a primary source of information regarding chemical hazards and handling.
Whatever type of foodservice business you may own or work in, complying with OSHA standards is key to keeping your business free of known hazards. OSHA has implemented a number of rules and regulations for both the restaurant industry and general work environments that may apply to your business.
The written food safety plan must include a hazard analysis to identify any known or potential biological, chemical and physical hazards and determine if any of those hazards require a preventive control.
Four Steps to Food Safety: Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill. Following four simple steps at home—Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill—can help protect you and your loved ones from food poisoning.
All employees must be trained that you are using one SDS as representative of all vendors (so there isn't confusion during an emergency). The SDS must be complete and accurate. The manufacturer listed on the SDS is willing to act as the responsible party in the event of an emergency.
Safety Data Sheets include information such as the properties of each chemical; the physical, health, and environmental health hazards; protective measures; and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical.
Food, drug, and cosmetic products have to follow different regulations for labeling but these products are still legally required to have an appropriate Safety Data Sheet if they pose a chemical hazard to the end-user.
SDS's are not meant for consumers. An SDS reflects the hazards of working with the material in an occupational fashion. For example, an SDS for paint is not highly pertinent to someone who uses a can of paint once a year, but is extremely important to someone who uses that paint 40 hours a week.
From MSDS to SDS
The purpose of both MSDS and SDS documents remains unchanged and is to list the information pertaining to the occupational health and safety for the various uses of the substances and products.
Do I need an SDS for Windex?
If Windex is used to clean a window in the office just as it would at home, then likely you do not need to have the SDS or add it to your chemical inventory. However, if you're using Windex on your safety goggles to remove the smudges, you'll need a SDS and add it to the chemical inventory.
For non-hazardous chemicals, OSHA does not require employers to maintain SDSs. A chemical is considered as non-hazardous only if the chemical is not classified as a health hazard, an environmental hazard, or a physical hazard.
What products require an SDS? Any product that is considered a hazardous chemical requires a safety data sheet. A hazardous chemical, as defined by the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), is any chemical which can cause a physical or a health hazard.
Employers and employees need the information contained on MSDSs to protect themselves from hazardous chemical exposures and to work safely with chemical products. The result will be a reduction in chemical source illness and injuries in the workplace.
The Nutrition Facts Label must show:
Mandatory nutrients (total calories, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, total sugars, added sugars, protein, vitamin D, calcium, iron, potassium)
Nutrition labels must display the amount of energy (calories and kilojoules) and the amount of fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugars, proteins and salt (all expressed in grams) present in 100g (or 100 ml) of the food.
Employers and employees need the information contained on MSDSs to protect themselves from hazardous chemical exposures and to work safely with chemical products. The result will be a reduction in chemical source illness and injuries in the workplace.
A Safety Data Sheet (formerly called Material Safety Data Sheet) is a detailed informational document prepared by the manufacturer or importer of a hazardous chemical. It describes the physical and chemical properties of the product.
All labels are required to have pictograms, a signal word, hazard and precautionary statements, the product identifier, and supplier identification. A sample revised HCS label, identifying the required label elements, is shown on the right.
- Raw fruits.
- Vegetables.
- Fish.
- Dietary Supplements (they are regulated under §101.36)
- Certain egg cartons.
- Infant Formula and foods for children up to 4 yrs of age (modified requirements apply)
What is not mandatory on a food label?
Reflects Updated Information about Nutrients
The list of nutrients that are required or permitted to be declared is being updated. Vitamin D and potassium are required on the label. Calcium and iron will continue to be required. Vitamins A and C are no longer required but can be included on a voluntary basis.
Raw fruits, vegetables, and fish. Foods that contain insignificant amounts of all required nutrients (insignificant means it can be listed as zero after rounding rules - foods that fall under this exemption include tea, coffee, food coloring, etc.).
To sell a retail product regulated by the FDA, the product label must contain five components: 1) statement of identity, 2) statement of net content, 3) Nutrition Facts, 4) ingredient statement with allergen labeling compliance, and 5) name and address of manufacturer, packer or distributor.
The information on food labels is intended to help consumers become savvy about their food choices. The front, back, and sides of a package are filled with information to inform us what the food contains and to provide guidance in making healthier selections of processed foods.
