Bruel takes the Hassle out of HACCP
04 April 2006 16:19
January 1st 2006 saw a further tightening of EU regulation when new food hygiene laws were introduced which affect all food businesses (except primary producers) including farmers, catering businesses, manufacturers, distributors and retailers. The emphasis continues to be on ensuring that, at every stage of the food supply chain, there are evidential records of the detail and documentation of the processes and handling procedures used to maintain the strictest hygiene standards.
Whatever the food business, from raw meat to convenience dishes, from harvest to table, nearly all food and beverage companies have one thing in common - the use of Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs) for either internal food handling or for distributing products to customers conveniently and quickly. Yet these universally accepted containers can be a potential major weakness in the hygienic integrity of the food chain.
Whilst most food and drink businesses have focused on ensuring their products are produced in the most sterile and hygienic conditions, the RPC that may come into contact with raw food, and is used to get the produce safely through the distribution system, may be exposed to picking up all manner of contamination. For external distribution the risk of contamination can occur during loading and off-loading as well as in transit and storage. The RPC can be exposed to particulate matter such as dust and airborne debris as well as bacteria and other contaminants.
So for both internal and external RPCs unless the washing process at each return to the production stage of the supply cycle is capable of meeting Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) requirements - with proof that it does - there is no guarantee that RPCs will start the next cycle as clean as the product it contains. This is why Brüel International, the Europe-wide specialists in the manufacture and installation of washing and handling systems for food industry RPC's, has developed a Critical Control Point (CCP) monitoring system for its washing systems that takes the worry out of whether the RPC is properly cleaned and, most importantly, gives the food processor the documentary evidence to prove it!
Danish technologists who have studied the RPC washing process for more than twenty years and have installed washing plant in more than 700 food and beverage factories, and box pool operations across Europe believe the new regulations present the opportunity to provide automated, microprocessor-driven management reporting which meets the latest HACCP requirements.
The Danish approach begins with specifying individually tailored solutions according to the food or beverage type, the nature of the process site and the product or materials used. Very often a complex combination of soiling and contamination exists on used crates which may include dust, traffic film, fats, proteins, albumen, a variety of unwanted micro-organisms and much more. This will determine a precise set of parameters that include temperature, detergent, pressure, time and washing methodology for the multi-stage washing process which may require pre-rinse; dissolving; washing; high-pressure label removal; after-rinse; fresh water spray; disinfection; and drying. The CCP Monitoring Package mirrors the washing process and will be available not only for new equipment, but also for retro-fitting to existing washers.
For more information on this company:
bruel - Crate Washers, Tray Washers, Basket Washers and Handling Equipment
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