Did you know that your staff notice board could be a potential source of contamination? Find out how by viewing episode 25 of HACCP Mentor Review.
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Welcome to Episode 25 of HACCP Mentor Review. In this episode the purpose of a glass register is discussed along with identifying what should be documented on your site map, the weekly action item and an area that is rarely identified as a potential source of foreign matter contamination. The latest updates on food poisoning outbreaks and food recalls are also covered.
What should be on our site map
A documented site map is a pictorial representation of your actual food premises site. The majority of GFSI standards require a site map to be documented. Some examples of the things that should be documented on your site map include water supply outlets, electricity outlets, position of equipment, hand wash stations, exit / entry points, high risk areas, staff areas, floor drainage points, pedestrian traffic areas, truck movement/forklift traffic areas. These are just a few examples so to check your actual requirements, refer to your certification standard.
What is the purpose of a glass register?
Glass, like any other foreign matter, can have an adverse effect on the consumer if eaten. Because of this, we need to know where all glass items are located within a food production area so it can be regularly checked. The purpose of a glass register is to document the location, type and quantity of glass present within your food production area. Glass items can then be checked for integrity on a routine basis. Glass items documented on a glass register can include light fittings, equipment gauges, windows, laboratory equipment, temperature dials and clock faces.
Food Poisoning Outbreaks
The issue with contaminated fruit berries continues with a report released by the CDC in the USA on July 11, 2013 stating that 145 people have now been confirmed to have become ill from hepatitis A after eating ‘Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend’. The outbreak has been traced to contaminated pomegranate seeds.
Meanwhile, the Alabama Department of Public Health continues to investigate a salmonella foodborne outbreak which has affected at least 67 people. There has been five (5) confirmed cases of Salmonella Heidelberg. Consumers became ill after eating a meal served as part of a local funeral held at the Eastern Star Baptist Church in York.
Food Recalls
A timely reminder this week to review your raw material hazard analysis if you use nuts in any of your finished products. Packaged Pistachios have been recalled due to potential salmonella contamination.
What is on your notice board?
Information noticeboards are a great way to keep staff up to date. Unfortunately, these noticeboards can become a source of contamination if they are not controlled or if they are located within your food production area. Make sure that you have considered in your hazard analysis, any of the fasteners used on your noticeboard. This includes magnets, clips and metal pins. Having a record of the quantity of these items located on your notice board will help with the control of these potential hazards. This check can then be incorporated into your monthly GMP inspections.
Weekly action item
This episodes action item is to go around and check that all doors are adequately sealed and closed. By this I mean, check that all doors are closed and that there is no gaps around the door and under the door. A correctly closed and sealed door will minimise the chance of pests entering into your food production facility.
Connect and Share
Well that is episode 25 of HACCP Mentor Review wrapped up for another week. Thanks to those who have posted feedback and comments over the previous weeks – I really appreciate it. Next episode I will let you know of a project that I have been working on that is hopefully going to help make your life a little easier. Until then, I am Amanda Evans from haccpmentor.com.
