9 replies to this topic

[ReynoldsPackaging1]

Hello,

 

We are currently working on getting ready for an SQF Audit and the question came up as to if our air quality needed to be tested.

 

At this time, we are using Propylene Glycol (Food grade, approved by FDA) in our chillers and want to know if we need to test the air quality because of this product being used.

 

If anyone would have some insight to this, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

 

Jessica/Mary

[cookinmaple]

If its compressed air that is blowen in and comes in contact with food or food contact surfaces, yes it should be tested. Also have supporting documentation of the Food Grade glycol.

[MDaleDDF]

Our air isn't food contact, and I still test production and warehouse once per year...

[lillabec]

We test the air quality of every open-product area quarterly

[G M]

Hello,

 

We are currently working on getting ready for an SQF Audit and the question came up as to if our air quality needed to be tested.

 

At this time, we are using Propylene Glycol (Food grade, approved by FDA) in our chillers and want to know if we need to test the air quality because of this product being used.

 

If anyone would have some insight to this, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

 

Jessica/Mary

 

I wouldn't expect thermal transfer fluids to trigger an air quality test unless you were losing volume (had a leak).

 

Air quality testing is a requirement if you use compressed air that comes into contact with your product, or product contact surfaces.  This is pretty common because a lot of sanitation teams like to use compressed air, and various automated processing and packaging equipment also uses it.  The test usually draws its samples from an in-line module attached to a compressed air line.

[SQFconsultant]

The key word - do we NEED to ---

 

Technically speaking, the only air you need to test is compressed air - if it is coming into contact with packaging that will come into contact with food - assuming your company is a packaging concern and not packaging food.

 

And, if you are using Poly G I'd be testing the air quality regardless even though it is in sealed chillers.

 

If you are not using any compressed air, you just tell the Auditor that and I doubt that he/she would ask for air quality testing results, unless there is even the slightest hint of a leak.

 

After a recent debacle I had with an SQF Auditor I'd go ahead and test it anyway, regardless of whether you need to or not.

[DezBosworth]

Does anyone know the acceptable limits of aerobic plate count or acceptable limits of yeast/mold count in the compressed air?  Thank you.

[kconf]

I'd say <1000 for APC and <100 for YM, depends on exposure time too. 

[kconf]

We do it annually. No auditor has ever asked though. 

[DezBosworth]

Thanks!  Exposure time 10 min for the compressed air test in this particular test per the equipment rented from the Third Party Lab.