Description

CGA F-3 – Guideline for Qualifying Suppliers Used by Food and Beverage Gas Distributors and Manufacturers

This publication is a guide for food gas manufacturers and distributors developing company-specific standard operating procedures for qualifying or requalifying suppliers who provide, manufacture, distribute, and store food gases, food gas equipment, and services. Food gases are supplied, stored, and distributed for food applications and are used as ingredients, additives, and direct food contact processing aids. Food gases that are supplied by manufacturers include, but are not limited to:

atmospheric gases (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, argon, compressed air, nitrogen-enriched air);
carbon dioxide;
carbon monoxide;
helium;
hydrocarbons (e.g., ethylene, propane, butane, isobutane);
hydrogen;
nitrous oxide; and
sulfur dioxide.

Food gases stored or distributed by facilities other than the manufacturer may also include food or beverage gas mixtures (e.g., beer, wine, modified atmosphere packaging applications).