Environmental Monitoring
When establishing an environmental monitoring program, there are not many hard and fast rules to follow. Environmental testing is a moniker for a number of production processes. When developing an environmental monitoring program, it is of paramount importance to identify the environmental hazards that may be present. By definition, environmental monitoring screens for the presence of contaminants that could be introduced into a product from the production environment. These could be microbiological contaminants (both spoilage and pathogenic organisms) and allergens.
If the environmental monitoring program is to locate and identify spoilage organisms and pathogens, there are a couple of things which require close attention. It is important is to keep in mind that Salmonella is often the target organism for monitoring of product contact and non-product contact surfaces in a low-moisture manufacturing facility, while Listeria is the likely target in high-moisture food manufacturing facilities. The easiest and most successful method of environmental monitoring follows the zone concept. The zone concept is an effective way of organizing sample sites and assisting to determine which target bacteria to address.In general, the classification of the zones is based on the proximity to the product and on the risk of contamination. The true identity of the possible target is facility and product dependent.
Establishing and maintaining an environmental monitoring program not only requires the testing and monitoring of sites within and about the facility, it also requires absolute buy-in by management, at all levels. When management supports a process or a change in culture, employees tend to follow. This is the fastest and most productive way to reach and maintain your goals. It has been published that the average cost of a food recall in the US is an estimated $10 Million. A successful environmental monitoring program can be the key to preventing this financial disaster from affecting your facility.
If you are interested in establishing an environmental monitoring system, Great Plains Analytical Lab can offer you consultative assistance do so. Based on your risk analysis and HACCP plan, a flow chart and map of your facility, we can make suggestions, as well as supply you with the swabs and sponges to complete your testing, and provide your results to easily facilitate trend line analysis to monitor the efficacy of your sanitation program.
