6 replies to this topic

[psunjka]

We are a manufacturer of hams, salamis, sausages in casings.

 

We monitor the temperature (heating/cooling) of our products in casings and once we remove the temperature probe, the ham or salami log is exposed to the environment through this small hole where the probe was inserted. We would need to cover this hole with a sticker/tape/label, but the adhesive must be approved for direct food contact. 

 

Anyone knows of a supplier of a sticker or label (i.e. adhesive on the back) that is approved for direct food contact by the CFIA, HC, USDA, FDA, any regulatory authority in North America?

 

 

 

 

[FurFarmandFork]

I assume that this is a casing that will be eventually removed (like hot dog casing)? If it's an edible casing I'm not sure why it would make a difference whether the internal meat was exposed or not, the whole thing is food.

 

I've very rarely worked with casings, but I've had some success patching holes with additional dry casing that is only partially wetted before use. It can be sticky and adhere well to the casing below depending on type.

 

Alternatively, stickers for labeling produce are obviously approved for food contact, and would be the perfect size for a thermometer probe hole: http://producelabels.com/ you could probably order blank (no printed material) ones for super cheap.

[Charles.C]

Hi psunjka,

 

Seek a finer  thermocouple ?

[psunjka]

The casing is mostly inedible and will be removed when the log is sliced, whether in plant (after cooking and cooling) or at store (if sold as a whole log).

 

As for the size of the hole, we all know that for the government it doesn't matter if it is 1 micrometer or 5 millimeters in diameter, those sneaky Listeria monos could crawl inside. 

 

Furframandfork, I was thinking about using an already approved food contact material and patch it with a regular label, but this is a bit cumbersome. If we have to, we will go this way.

 

Produce labels might be a viable option, I believe some of them are not only FC approved, but even edible. I will check them out, thanks for the idea

[Charles.C]

The casing is mostly inedible and will be removed when the log is sliced, whether in plant (after cooking and cooling) or at store (if sold as a whole log).

 

As for the size of the hole, we all know that for the government it doesn't matter if it is 1 micrometer or 5 millimeters in diameter, those sneaky Listeria monos could crawl inside. 

 

Furframandfork, I was thinking about using an already approved food contact material and patch it with a regular label, but this is a bit cumbersome. If we have to, we will go this way.

 

Produce labels might be a viable option, I believe some of them are not only FC approved, but even edible. I will check them out, thanks for the idea

 

Hi psunjka,

 

Sorry, I hadn't realised yr risk assessment indicated likely contamination by L.mono. If so, more rigorous control measures may be required other than closing a 0.001 mm opening.

[ebb30]

I'm not familiar with your process but it sounds like you're checking the temperature of the logs after the kill step. If this is the case, any product that had its seal broken should be set aside as a QC sample, definitely not sold in commerce. You are potentially contaminating your product and placing a sticker over the hole is not a feasible solution. 

[BuckeyeGal]

I have to agree with ebb30.  The situation is introducing extra risk into this sample that I wouldn't want to accept.