Guideline for Conducting Microbiological Controls – Fruit and Vegetable Products - In BAV Newsletter 01/2017
Jun 19, 2017 - Microbiology
Guideline for Conducting Microbiological Controls – Fruit and Vegetable Products - In BAV Newsletter 01/2017
Guideline for Conducting Microbiological Controls – Fruit and Vegetable Products
In December 2016, the Federation for Food Law and Food Science (BLL) published a Guideline for Good Practice in Conducting Microbiological Self-Controls for the Onsite Preparation of Ready-to-Eat, Pre-Cut Fruit and Vegetable Products in Retail. Although there are already specifications for testing such products under Regulation (EC) No.2073/2005, implementing these specifications would be too cumbersome for retail.
This guideline is primarily aimed at branch-based retail or comparable retailers who produce ready-to-eat, pre-cut fruit or vegetable products themselves and offer them for sale. The form of packaging (pre-packaged or loose) is not decisive; both forms of offering are affected. Typical products also include non-pasteurized juices made from fruit and/or vegetables.
The guideline describes the minimum requirements for the entrepreneur concerning the conditions for manufacturing these products, as well as the microbiological requirements for the products themselves and the environment.
The guideline also describes the microbiological requirements for these products, which essentially relate to the requirements of Regulation (EC) No.2073/2005:
For positive findings of listeria, the samples must be individually quantitatively reexamined. A limit value of < 100 CFU/g applies.
In the event of deviating results, appropriate measures such as checking cleaning and disinfection or raw material controls must be taken, and their effectiveness must be verified, among other things, through repeat testing.
In addition to product investigations, the guideline also prescribes environmental investigations for Listeria monocytogenes. Within the framework of the self-control system, sampling sites and time intervals for corresponding swab tests must be provided.
If there are deviating results, appropriate measures must be taken here as well, and follow-up checks must be conducted until the results are satisfactory.
If we do not hear otherwise from you, your account manager will take these samples once a year, as it is a guideline requirement. For further inquiries, please feel free to contact your BAV account manager.