Hello everyone,
I am evaluating a new vendor who will be supplying iqf mangos and strawberries. Their plan does not identify any critical control point (CCP) for the potential presence of pathogens such as listeria or salmonella. They are selling these items as ready to eat. Their flow chart shows that there is a disinfection step that is only a control point. Is this something common in the iqf fruit industry? Before reviewing these documents, I was expecting to see the disinfection step as a CCP since we need a step that reduces the presence of pathogens (such as listeria/salmonella) to acceptable levels. Product can be contaminated with these microorganisms either in the farm or from equipment during the cutting process. By the way, there is no blanching step.
I will appreciate if someone can share with me what are the common CCP's in this industry. May be someone has a hazard analysis or flow chart that can be shared :)
Thank you,
Silvia