6 replies to this topic

[laramiejbrown]

Good morning, there is some ongoing debate within my department about the time limit associated with ATP swab results.

Our current standard is that swab results are null and void after 4 hours has passed with no production running. At this point we perform another pre-op inspectio and another set of ATP swabs. I am told that this is the "industry standard" but I don't know where anyone is finding this standard. I am wondering if this is actually that standard or if this is something a previous manager implemented and installed as "industry standard"

Edited by laramiejbrown, 20 May 2024 - 11:46 AM.

[kfromNE]

USDA or FDA. What is your production schedule. 

 

We do pre-op in some rooms the night before production so 10 hours before hand. We've had no push back on that from the USDA or FDA. 

[laramiejbrown]

USDA or FDA. What is your production schedule. 

 

We do pre-op in some rooms the night before production so 10 hours before hand. We've had no push back on that from the USDA or FDA. 

FDA - Im curious specifically for the time limit of the swabs, do you also do your swabbing 10 hours prior?

[kfromNE]

There isn't a time limit. 

 

RTE or Non-RTE facility

[laramiejbrown]

There isn't a time limit. 

 

RTE or Non-RTE facility

RTE - Retort and hot fill facilty. What about clean equipment verification micro swabbing for APC, EB< yeast and mold? would there be a time limit on these?

[kfromNE]

It's about your process. There are no regulations on specifically when to test on how often. Your job is to prove your procedures/processes keep the product safe. 

 

So time limit, you won't find one. 

 

As with the APC, yeast and mold numbers. They will vary between facilities and products. 

[kzimmers]

We do Swabs before the filler lines start running, and a micro testing (coliform/yeast & mold) is performed on each batch (1st sample that comes out of the filler).