Compliance with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is essential for your food manufacturing and distribution firm. Adherence to these regulations protects your brand and builds consumer trust.
Hiring employees knowledgeable in HACCP, GMP, and FSMA helps your food manufacturing and distribution firm maintain compliance. Partnering with a food manufacturing staffing agency can help.
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
HACCP is a systematic, science-based approach to identifying, evaluating, and controlling food safety hazards. The framework applies to all stages of the food supply chain to ensure food product safety and consumer wellness. The goal is to address and prevent potential hazards and foodborne illnesses.
Maintaining HACCP compliance
An HACCP expert uses these guidelines to maintain compliance for your food manufacturing and distribution firm:
- Cross-contamination prevention: Take actions like separating cutting boards, utensils, and storage areas to prevent cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods.
- Regular hazard analysis: Continuously assessing food product hazards, especially when introducing new ingredients or processes.
- Monitoring and documentation: Using food thermometers, visual inspections, and other tools to meet safety standards and keeping detailed records.
- Establishing corrective actions: Developing protocols for addressing deviations from limits and assigning staff member responsibilities.
- Verification and validation: Regularly reviewing and validating the HACCP plan, conducting internal audits, and seeking third-party verification to ensure effective control hazards.
Good Manufacturing Practices
GMP is the part of quality assurance that ensures products are produced and controlled according to specifications and quality standards. The legal components cover responsibilities for distribution, contract manufacturing and testing, and responses to product defects and complaints.
Maintaining GMP compliance
A GMP expert uses these guidelines to maintain compliance for your food manufacturing and distribution firm:
- Quality management: Testing raw materials, monitoring production processes, and conducting final inspections to ensure the food items meet quality criteria.
- Sanitation and hygiene: Routinely cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, equipment, and utensils and maintaining personal hygiene to ensure safe handling practices.
- Product labeling: Including the product name, identity, net weight or measure in food product labels and the name and address of the food manufacturer or distributor.
- Storage and transportation: Maintaining proper temperatures, preventing contamination, and safeguarding against threats.
- Documentation and record-keeping: Recording raw materials, production processes, final inspections, and food safety activities.
Food Safety Manufacturing Act
The most current data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate that six pathogens were responsible for 9.9 million domestically acquired foodborne illnesses in 2019. Adherence to FSMA processes, protocols, and standards significantly reduces the number of these illnesses.
Maintaining FSMA compliance
An FSMA expert uses the following guidelines to maintain compliance for your food manufacturing and distribution firm:
- Food safety plan: Include product information, hazard identification, risk assessment, critical control points, and product specifications.
- Preventive and corrective controls: Include preventive controls for processes, supply chains, allergens, sanitation procedures, and recall procedures.
- Supply chain program: Suppliers must submit proof of proper hazard analysis and apply adequate preventive controls.
- Recall plan: Steps to address and perform recalls by the responsible party.
- Monitoring and verification procedures: Reports, records, and forms tracking the progress and application of the food safety plan.
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