Environmental Monitoring Program - Target Organisms

Dear friends, 

I am working on this process and would like to build the related program that BRC Packaging requires. Can you share a couple of organisms that you chose?  

I understand for example that staphylococcus aureus could be one of the possible targets as well as e.coli since both are related to personnel. What other microorganisms have you assessed? 

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and help! 

Best Regards

Vasilis 

Depending on the products you make. Or, it's a warehouse? For dairy industry, our main targets are Total Coliform, E. Coli, Y&M.

I'd also look at monitoring and swabbing for Listeria, it's present in the environment and once introduced it can be very difficult to get rid of. I'd monitor this especially anywhere hard to clean, shoes, drains and sinks. Once you have it it's very hard to remove so watch out and control any detections ASAP. 

Listeria can also become airborne if using hoses etc. so please be careful with sprays and hoses. 

Depending on the products you make. Or, it's a warehouse? For dairy industry, our main targets are Total Coliform, E. Coli, Y&M.

Thank you for your answer olenazh! It is a food packaging factory! 

Thank you for your answer olenazh! It is a food packaging factory! 

Hi Vasilis,

Do you mean you (a) Process/package Food or (b) you receive food and directly package it or (c) you manufacture Food Packaging ?

If (c), what kind of "Packaging" ? , eg cardboard cartons, plastic bags ?

Hi Vasilis,

 

Do you mean you (a) Process/package Food or (b) you receive food and directly package it or (c) you manufacture Food Packaging ?

 

If (c), what kind of "Packaging" ? , eg cardboard cartons, plastic bags ?

You are very right...it's a manufacturing plant of plastic bags and laminates. Thank you in advance !!!

You are very right...it's a manufacturing plant of plastic bags and laminates. Thank you in advance !!!

Hi Vasilis,

Thanks for input,

IIRC there is a long previous thread here on BRC/Packaging requirements. Will seek and revert shortly.

Hi Vasilis,

 

Thanks for input,

 

IIRC there is a long previous thread here on BRC/Packaging requirements. Will seek and revert shortly.

Hi Vasilis,

See the quoted post/thread given below and also follow the sub-link in the post 5

https://www.ifsqn.co...nt/#entry171684

There is a substantial amount of reading involved but I anticipate the end-result may be a fairly simple requirement since it is likely that no pathogens are involved.

PS - Particularly note that the requirements relate to whether packaging will be in contact with food or not.

Hi Vasilis,

Thank you for your question! BRC is quite general about their requirements regarding specific organisms to test for. This leaves it up to your facility to perform a risk assessment to determine which pathogens or indicator organisms are the highest risk for your particular product or facility. 

Here's a bit of what BRC says regarding environmental monitoring: "1.1.10 (ii) The presence of an environmental pathogen or appropriate indicator organism detected through the environmental monitoring conducted in accordance with § 117.165(a)(3). (2) The corrective action procedures must describe the steps to be taken to ensure that: (i) Appropriate action is taken to identify and correct a problem that has occurred with implementation of a preventive control; (ii) Appropriate action is taken, when necessary, to reduce the likelihood that the problem will recur; (iii) All affected food is evaluated for safety; and (iv) All affected food is prevented from entering into commerce..."

We recommend regular testing via swabs or contact plates for any high risk areas.  Regular surface testing can help provide trend analyses, telling users when and where certain types of microorganisms are likely to occur. Testing can also help ensure that your control procedures are working effectively. Microbial analysis can identify bacteria, yeast, and mold present on surfaces. If any growth is detected, you can then perform further identification. 

At Trace Analytics we offer phenotypic identification which can tell you the genus and species of the microorganism found. You can then perform remediation as needed. 

Learn more about environmental testing options with a third party accredited laboratory here. https://www.aircheck...g/surface-swab/

Hi Vasilis,

 

Thank you for your question! BRC is quite general about their requirements regarding specific organisms to test for. This leaves it up to your facility to perform a risk assessment to determine which pathogens or indicator organisms are the highest risk for your particular product or facility. 

 

Here's a bit of what BRC says regarding environmental monitoring: "1.1.10 (ii) The presence of an environmental pathogen or appropriate indicator organism detected through the environmental monitoring conducted in accordance with § 117.165(a)(3). (2) The corrective action procedures must describe the steps to be taken to ensure that: (i) Appropriate action is taken to identify and correct a problem that has occurred with implementation of a preventive control; (ii) Appropriate action is taken, when necessary, to reduce the likelihood that the problem will recur; (iii) All affected food is evaluated for safety; and (iv) All affected food is prevented from entering into commerce..."

 

We recommend regular testing via swabs or contact plates for any high risk areas.  Regular surface testing can help provide trend analyses, telling users when and where certain types of microorganisms are likely to occur. Testing can also help ensure that your control procedures are working effectively. Microbial analysis can identify bacteria, yeast, and mold present on surfaces. If any growth is detected, you can then perform further identification. 

 

At Trace Analytics we offer phenotypic identification which can tell you the genus and species of the microorganism found. You can then perform remediation as needed. 

 

Learn more about environmental testing options with a third party accredited laboratory here. https://www.aircheck...g/surface-swab/

Hi Trace Analytics,

Re ^^^(red) - Actually, in practice, this is not entirely accurate.

I suggest to investigate the link in Post 8.