Hair net requirements in a facility that re-packs produce
I am wondering what the expectations are for hair nets in a facility where staff are responsible for re-packing produce? The staff often substitute toques for hair nets, and there is some dispute as to whether this is an acceptable substitute, or if hair nets should still be worn underneath.
Thank you in advance.
Is there a particular food safety standard that you operate under?
Marshall
PrimusGFS
i found in the guidelines (2.20.04) that baseball caps are permitted in packinghouses (our facility is a packinghouse), only if effective hair restraints are visible underneath. I am assuming hair nets are required under all hats/toques etc?
Hi spannav,
Extracted from Primus Packinghouse audit guideline,V11.04 Rev 1, 2011-
1.5.4 Are employees wearing effective hair restraints?
Visual Confirmation. Total conformance (10 points): Employees (includes maintenance employees and visitors)
should be wearing appropriate hair restraints (hairnets and beard nets and moustache covers where appropriate)
that fully contain all hair. For the purposes of this audit, hair restraints are not necessary in operations with
products that require cooking prior to consumption i.e. potatoes and/or outer layer of commodity (rind, peel, skin,
etc.) is not consumed or used as a food item in any way e.g. storage onions, garlic, etc. In all cases, wearing
effective hair restraints is best practice.
Handlers of items that may be “ready-to-eat” e.g. green onions, stone fruit, tomatoes, citrus, etc., should wear
hairnets. Note that citrus peel is often used in drinks, used for zesting, etc., and is viewed as edible for the
purpose of this audit. Baseball caps are allowed in packinghouses only if they are clean and worn with a hair net
that is clearly visible and restrains all hair. Bobby pins, hairgrips should not be worn outside hair nets. Long hair
should be tied back for safety reasons, using a band of some type (not metal clips or pins). Hair restraints should
a) stop hair falling onto the product and b) prevent employees from touching their hair and then the product.
Hello,
here is a link to the PrimusGFS GMP guidelines.
http://www.primusgfs..._GMPModule2.pdf
It was changed again in 2015.
In a facility that has exposed products, hairnets must be worn. Only exceptions are where product is going to be cooked (like potatoes).
see 2.20.4 on the link.
Further more, check CFIA regulation, the new Safe Food for Canadians regulations will apply to all regardless of third party certification
Hello,
here is a link to the PrimusGFS GMP guidelines.
http://www.primusgfs..._GMPModule2.pdf
It was changed again in 2015.
In a facility that has exposed products, hairnets must be worn. Only exceptions are where product is going to be cooked (like potatoes).
see 2.20.4 on the link.
JFconvenience -
Edition v1.0, 1 November 2015
2.20.4
Wearing effective hair restraints is required in all operations where product is exposed, including with
products that require cooking prior to consumption, i.e. potatoes and/or outer layer of commodity (rind,
peel, skin, etc.) that is not consumed or used as a food item in any way (e.g., storage onions, garlic, etc.).
Hair restraints are not required when there is no exposed product
Depending on your audit scheme used, I know that for PrimusGFS, yes hair nets are required regardless of the establishment
Nic