Dear David,
Actually, I am sure if there is a guideline about microbio guidelines for the sanitation effectiveness...
I know there are some Code of Practices, mainly from retailers like Marks & Spencer's but the regulations in US and EU mainly concerns the finished products: if you have issues in your finished products, too bad for you, your sanitation and/or hygiene procedures have a problem... Please act accordingly...
Actually, the standards/criteria are up to the processor. Mainly you perform your deep cleaning and you take some samples to determine your TPC. Of course, it should be as low as possible, the coliforms close to 0, E. coli, Salmonella and Staph. aureus not found.
The ATPmeter is a good system because it is quick (a few seconds for the results) so that you can take immediate corrective actions. However, it is not an indicator of the microbiological population but the global dirtiness of your surface (Organic stuff + Microorganisms).
The processor has to determine his own standards. Mainly after a deep cleaning, you got your "cleanest conditions" and you multiplicate this number by 2 or 3, you get your worst condition, that leave you a certain "margin" and avoid you to demotivate your sanitation team.
HOWEVER, YOU HAVE TO VALIDATE YOUR STANDARD BY CONVENTIONAL METHODS, e.g. microbiological swabs.
Another issue is the quantity of checking to perform every day, before every shift. You have to carefuly select "swabing points" on your line and equipment, within your plant. And there are a not a few... The cost of a ATP swab is around 2-3 USD a test. Of course, the conventional methods are cheaper.
Rgds,
Remi Michalowski
Indonesia
----- Original Message -----
From: david culak
To: seafood@ucdavis.edu
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 10:11 AM
Subject: Microbiological criteria for validation of sanitation
Dear List,
I am looking for some kind of reference sources that specify microbiological criteria for monitoring/validating sanitation of food processing sites. Either colony forming units (cfus)/square inch or luminometer reading values. Also, which method would be the best choice (microbial swabbing, or ATP presence determination).
Any assistance would be appreciated.
David Culak
David.A.Culak@pmusa.com
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