THE implementation of the new Consumer Protection Act has made it more important than ever for food companies to have documented evidence of their safety measures
So says Ecowize MD Gareth Lloyd-Jones.
"It is no longer a case of satisfying consumers by presenting visually clean premises, as companies are now required to have accredited certification that all risks associated with microbiological, chemical and foreign matter contamination have been mitigated and managed," Lloyd-Jones said.
Lloyd-Jones said there were four major aspects of risk that companies needed to account for in comprehensive clean facilities to be visually and microbiologically clean.
These were microbiological contamination, chemical contamination, foreign matter and allergens.
"Microbiological contamination refers to the presence of one or more various bacteria, yeasts, mould, fungi or protozoa, all of which could adversely affect the product and a consumer's health and safety," he said.
Measuring the bacterial surveillance and total count helped identify all bacteria present. Companies should therefore conduct further testing to isolate specific pathogens that were inherent risks to their products. Chemical contamination occurred when products were tainted by cleaning chemicals.
Chemicals had to meet stringent and certified food grade chemical standards and regulatory requirements that declared them safe in a cleaning regime of food processing facilities.
"It is easy for foreign matter such as plastics, hair, steel shavings and allergens like peanuts to get left behind on equipment such as conveyor belts, as they are used for more than one product line," he said.
Therefore, an advanced cleaning process involving a deep cleanse, sanitation and visual inspection was an essential routine between product line changes. Again, documentation of this process was crucial.
He said the CPA left little room for error and would ensure that world-class food safety standards were maintained.
Continuing and consistent documentation of processes was essential to ensure due diligence.
Safety evidence now a must for food companies
THE implementation of the new Consumer Protection Act has made it more important than ever for food companies to have documented evidence of their safety measures
So says Ecowize MD Gareth Lloyd-Jones.
"It is no longer a case of satisfying consumers by presenting visually clean premises, as companies are now required to have accredited certification that all risks associated with microbiological, chemical and foreign matter contamination have been mitigated and managed," Lloyd-Jones said.
Lloyd-Jones said there were four major aspects of risk that companies needed to account for in comprehensive clean facilities to be visually and microbiologically clean.
These were microbiological contamination, chemical contamination, foreign matter and allergens.
"Microbiological contamination refers to the presence of one or more various bacteria, yeasts, mould, fungi or protozoa, all of which could adversely affect the product and a consumer's health and safety," he said.
Measuring the bacterial surveillance and total count helped identify all bacteria present. Companies should therefore conduct further testing to isolate specific pathogens that were inherent risks to their products. Chemical contamination occurred when products were tainted by cleaning chemicals.
Chemicals had to meet stringent and certified food grade chemical standards and regulatory requirements that declared them safe in a cleaning regime of food processing facilities.
"It is easy for foreign matter such as plastics, hair, steel shavings and allergens like peanuts to get left behind on equipment such as conveyor belts, as they are used for more than one product line," he said.
Therefore, an advanced cleaning process involving a deep cleanse, sanitation and visual inspection was an essential routine between product line changes. Again, documentation of this process was crucial.
He said the CPA left little room for error and would ensure that world-class food safety standards were maintained.
Continuing and consistent documentation of processes was essential to ensure due diligence.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos