Starting point for warehouse drain swabbing

I am interested in starting a drain swabbing program in a perishable distribution center that primarily handles produce. This would be in a wet environment. This is a flow-through facility with no processing being done. I was just looking for some opinions on what type of program might be best for this operation. Are there kits that can be utilized?

Thanks

I am interested in starting a drain swabbing program in a perishable distribution center that primarily handles produce. This would be in a wet environment. This is a flow-through facility with no processing being done. I was just looking for some opinions on what type of program might be best for this operation. Are there kits that can be utilized?

 

Thanks

Hi colts,

Please clarify -

(1) The nature of the Distribution/handling operation,eg any re-Packaging of open produce or only involving fully packaged product ?

(2) The reason for starting the program, ie the perceived risk/contamination due to the drains ? This determines the type of swabbing program to be carried out.

There is no re-packaging of any product, the reason for the testing is to verify the effectiveness of our drain cleaning program. Due to the cold temperatures the primary pathogen we would be testing for is listeria.

Thanks

Hi colts,

As i understand yr query relates to Listeria testing kits.

Yes they exist, many of them,  eg from Google -

http://www.hygiena.c...d-beverage.html

I don't use myself but i daresay other members here can offer specific suggestions.

Regarding cleaning/sampling drains, maybe have a look at this thread, eg Post2  (there are several others if you search) -

http://www.ifsqn.com...ning-of-drains/

PS - offhand, if all product is fully enclosed, i would have thought any risk of L.mono being transferred  to yr distributed product would be "negligible"

Hi Colts,

Procedure / Programs:

Drain Cleaning Procedure - Not sure whether you use a chemical supplier that you could involve. I have worked with Ecolab in the past to help review drain cleaning procedures.

Drain Cleaning Program - You should also have a plan for frequency of tesing (monthly?) and what to do in the case of a positive test result.

Testing:

It sounds like you do not have the facility (or expertise) to perform micro testing as simple as they make the tests now. Remember, any growth requires appropriate biohazard waste disposal. With this, I would highly recommend outside testin (Silliker / Maxxam).

Good luck!

Christian