“We don’t have one version of the truth”
Why uncontrolled product data creates real compliance, safety, and audit risk
If product data lives in emails, spreadsheets, and shared drives, you don’t have control - you have hope.
That’s fine… until someone asks:
· “Which spec is current?”
· “Which allergen statement was approved?”
· “Why is the label copy different to the spec?”
This is the kind of thing that can come up during:
· BRCGS / IFS audits (document control + product specification management)
· Retailer/customer technical audits (they’ll compare what you say vs what you supply)
· FSA / Local Authority inspections if there’s a complaint or incident and they request
evidence.
Real-world example:
A product is made using a recipe that was “nearly final” but not approved, meaning:
· allergen risk changes
· nutrition changes
· legal name or QUID may no longer be correct
· shelf-life assumptions may be wrong
PLM helps by creating a single source of truth with version control and controlled access.
One product record. One live spec. One approved label. No confusion.
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