Pathogen Environmental Monitoring

Pathogen Environmental Monitoring (PEM) is an important part of the quality and food safety management systems in the manufacturing environment for high risk products. The products concerned are usually ready to eat such as dairy, ready meals, and meats but also those that will readily support bacterial growth such as gelatine. It is a fundamental requirement in many audit protocols for these products.

PEM is the monitoring of pathogens in the manufacturing environment under normal operating conditions. The manufacturing environment excludes food contact surfaces but includes non food contact areas such as floors, walls, drains, overheads, equipment exteriors, aprons, etc. The pathogens usually targeted are Salmonella, Listeria, and E Coli although others such as Staphylococcus can be targeted if the manufacturing conditions selects for these e.g. high salt levels in the environment. It is important to stress under normal operating conditions because, in RQAs experience, this procedure is quite often confused with cleaning verification swabbing which focuses on food contact surfaces.

Requirements and instructions for PEM should be documented and available to those involved. The instructions should define:

Applicable products and processes
Sampling location, frequency and method of sampling e.g. swab, air samplers etc.
Testing methodology
Test results and acceptance criteria
Corrective action plans

PEM data can be used as a verification tool. It can confirm the effectiveness of many prerequisite programmes such as:

Environmental practices
Infrastructure and equipment design
Personnel training

The information it provides about the environment is used to enhance practices, eliminate sites of infection and correct potential design problems before they pose a risk to the product. It is a proactive procedure that minimises food safety risks.

A number of plants risk assess the effect of pathogens in the environment and modify their response to a positive result accordingly. The manufacturing environment is divided into zones appropriate to the risk.
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To find out more how RQA can help you with the issue of Pathogen Environmental Monitoring please click here to contact us.

The winner of RQA Europe's prize draw has been selected

The winner of RQA Europe's exciting quarterly prize draw, which is open to those who subscribe to the RQA recall newsletter, was drawn on the 25th of March 2010. The lucky winner is an employee of LEGO. The prize was Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation) and has been sent to the lucky winner.

Please feel free to inform any of your colleagues who might be interested in the RQA recall newsletter.

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RQA Europe has exhibited at Foodex 2010

RQA Europe Ltd exhibited at Foodex which took place at Birmingham's NEC on 21-24 March 2010 on stand V091. Special rates for our Product Recall Plan Toolkit & Consumer Complaint Retrieval Service were available for visitors to our stand.
Over the four days, RQA has introduced its services to some of the world's largest food, beverage and consumer product manufacturing companies. The event has been a great success and if you have any questions regarding the exhibition click here to contact us.

Case Studies

Product Recall Solutions
food industry

Product Beef Incident Foreign bodies Country Australia Date 02/03/2010	An Australian manufacturer is recalling its products from consumers. The reason for the product recall is that plastic pieces may have contaminated the minced meat product. Consumers were advised not to consume the products, but return it to their nearest point of sale for a full cash return. The notification has been issued on the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission website.
Product Green peppers Incident Chemical Country Germany Date 01/03/2010	Green peppers, imported from Turkey are being withdrawn from the market due to a chemical contamination. The products contain pesticide residues such as methomyl and the official authorities stopped any further distribution. The relevant public notices were placed in the stores to advise customers not to consume the implicated products.

Product Beef
Incident Foreign bodies
Country Australia
Date 02/03/2010

An Australian manufacturer is recalling its products from consumers. The reason for the product recall is that plastic pieces may have contaminated the minced meat product. Consumers were advised not to consume the products, but return it to their nearest point of sale for a full cash return. The notification has been issued on the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission website.

Product Green peppers
Incident Chemical
Country Germany
Date 01/03/2010

Green peppers, imported from Turkey are being withdrawn from the market due to a chemical contamination. The products contain pesticide residues such as methomyl and the official authorities stopped any further distribution. The relevant public notices were placed in the stores to advise customers not to consume the implicated products.

Product Recall Solutions
consumer products

Product Frying pan Incident Risk of burns Country France Date 12/03/2010	A Chinese manufacturer is voluntarily withdrawing its products from the market due to a risk of burns. The reason for the product withdrawal is that the rigidity of the handle is not sufficient. As a result the user could spill food during use. No incidents have been reported to date. The product does not comply with the European standard EN 12983 (General requirements for cookware).
Product Puzzle mat toy Incident Risk of choking Country Denmark Date 12/03/2010	The product, imported from China has been recalled from consumers in Denmark. The product poses a risk of choking because it can easily break in small parts and be swallowed by small children. The product does not comply with the Toys Directive and with the European standard EN 71.

RQA Europe Limited
Science and Technology Centre
Earley Gate
Whiteknights Road
Reading RG6 6BZ
Tel 44 (0)118 935 72 42