Should swabs be taken from the food contact surface directly or not?

Hello, 

I'm confusing a little about this issue , when we have to take swabs for EMP should i take from the surface that contact with food directly or not ? 

If yes or No please could anybody tell me the reason by an evidence. 

Thanks for your support and concern. 

Hi Yusuf,

When considering an EMP its important to zone your Site.

For instance We consider Zone

1: Personel hands and holding bins........Primary

2:Packing tables.........

3.Uniforms and air

4.Floor 

This way we are able to understand the risks we are exposed to.

For instance if uniforms fail the swab test this calls for a corrective action.

Whats your take.

Hello, 

I'm confusing a little about this issue , when we have to take swabs for EMP should i take from the surface that contact with food directly or not ? 

If yes or No please could anybody tell me the reason by an evidence. 

Thanks for your support and concern. 

Hi M.Yusuf,

The answer is both.

(1) The reason is (mainly) risk assessment together with prioritisation.

(2) The operational implementation is via zoning.

(1,2) are detailed in the various attachments here -

http://www.ifsqn.com...ls/#entry100060

Hi M.Yusuf,

 

The answer is both.

(1) The reason is (mainly) risk assessment together with prioritisation.

(2) The operational implementation is via zoning.

 

(1,2) are detailed in the various attachments here -

 

http://www.ifsqn.com...ls/#entry100060

Thanks Charles too much for your help.

Hi Yusuf,

When considering an EMP its important to zone your Site.

For instance We consider Zone

1: Personel hands and holding bins........Primary

2:Packing tables.........

3.Uniforms and air

4.Floor 

 

This way we are able to understand the risks we are exposed to.

For instance if uniforms fail the swab test this calls for a corrective action.

 

Whats your take.

Thanks Joseah for your help. 

Hi, Mohamed.

Normally EMP is performed while in operation and is "different" from cleaning verification. Also EMP verifies or having the objective of how your flow (people, material and others) may have cross contaminate your equipment. Depending on your set up or risk you may include product contact, but in my opinion, unpacked finished product (depending on your product and if you have sampling point in the line)  would be a better sample than swab.