15 replies to this topic

[MrHillman]

Is there a rule for how long an item can sit after swabbing before it needs re-cleaning?

We used to say 24hrs, but now they say as long as it swabs clean, doesn't matter the time since sanitizing. Which I do agree with.

[Drumstick]

Hi MrHillman,

I haven't heard about a limit on the time after sanitizing in the food industry (maybe there's guidance somewhere, can't say). However, in the pharmaceutical industry (which in the end looks for safety and quality too) they stablish holding times for clean and dirty equipments; in your case, this would be an example: they clean a machine, they swab it, and then they swab it again after some time without using it (the worst case possible, for example, 3 days, from friday to monday). They "validate" that the equipment is still clean after 3 days (therefore they don't need to swab again as long as it doesn't pass more time since cleaning).
Hope this help you somehow, even when it's not the exact answer you were looking for :P.

[Charles.C]

Never seen a rule.

 

Personally I would clean directly after swabbing. Seems like commonsense. "If in Doubt, Clean it Out"

 

PS - Why Not ?

[012117]

Hi, Mr. Hillman.

 

Are you referring to new line? idle line or line that is operational?

 

If it is new line or idle line that was cleaned and sanitized, after swabbing, normally we dont do anything. The idea is that if you swab now then there is activity after for that line, that how can it can be said that the result will still be valid? So in our practice, the line and/or the room is kept covered until the swab results are out then routine cleaning is conducted.

 

In our practice, If it is major activity, the line is swabbed, reclean and sanitize then swab again.Then remain idle (but room conditions are maintained) until results are out.

 

For existing and is already operational, after swab, the surface is just dried (because we use premoistened swabs). Routine cleaning as per planned cleaning schedule is implemented.

 

There is no rule really for line after swabbing as this will be dependent mostly on the risk of the product and the process.

[Charles.C]

Hi, Mr. Hillman.

 

Are you referring to new line? idle line or line that is operational?

 

If it is new line or idle line that was cleaned and sanitized, after swabbing, normally we dont do anything. The idea is that if you swab now then there is activity after for that line, that how can it can be said that the result will still be valid? So in our practice, the line and/or the room is kept covered until the swab results are out then routine cleaning is conducted.

 

In our practice, If it is major activity, the line is swabbed, reclean and sanitize then swab again.Then remain idle (but room conditions are maintained) until results are out.

 

For existing and is already operational, after swab, the surface is just dried (because we use premoistened swabs). Routine cleaning as per planned cleaning schedule is implemented.

 

There is no rule really for line after swabbing as this will be dependent mostly on the risk of the product and the process.

 

IMEX swabbing involves contact. Contact > contamination. Contamination > cleaning.

[MrHillman]

Thanks for the replies, I feel more comfortable knowing we're not breaking any SQF rule, just a modification to our house rule.

[trubertq]

IMEX swabbing involves contact. Contact > contamination. Contamination > cleaning.

 

You mustn't be very good at swabbing so.....the swabs are sterile and if you do it correctl, you ( the swabber), should not come into contact with the equipment, (the swabbee).

Edited by trubertq, 23 January 2019 - 02:49 PM.

[Drumstick]

You mustn't be very good at swabbing so.....the swabs are sterile and if you do it correctl, you ( the swabber), should not come into contact with the equipment, (the swabbee).

I agree with Charles. Of course the swabs are sterile, but I have seen a lot of people "dipping" the swab into the growing medium before swabing, so you're applying growing medium to a clean surface...everything can grow there!
Maybe scrubbing afterwards with a clean towel would be enough, but...

[trubertq]

Training, training, training...

[MsMars]

I've always been in the practice of sanitizing after swabbing on food contact surfaces.  Alcohol-based spray sanitizers dry quickly. 

[Charles.C]

You mustn't be very good at swabbing so.....the swabs are sterile and if you do it correctl, you ( the swabber), should not come into contact with the equipment, (the swabbee).

 

Swabs are no longer cotton-based ?

 

The Times They are a-Changin.

[MrHillman]

Just re-tested a few items I washed on the 10th, most items passed with "3" on the ATP swab. Out of 18 swabs only 3 items came up dirty..... 23, 30, and 300! Don't know were the 300 came from but I can see from real time experience if items are cleaned and properly covered they will stay pretty clean.

Organic process, wash, rinse, sodium hypo-chlorite (bleach) at 50-100 PPM, re-rinse, air dry.

[Charles.C]

Just re-tested a few items I washed on the 10th, most items passed with "3" on the ATP swab. Out of 18 swabs only 3 items came up dirty..... 23, 30, and 300! Don't know were the 300 came from but I can see from real time experience if items are cleaned and properly covered they will stay pretty clean.

Organic process, wash, rinse, sodium hypo-chlorite (bleach) at 50-100 PPM, re-rinse, air dry.

 

Hi MrHillman,

 

Thks for yr data but frankly, IMHO, "it all depends."

[trubertq]

Never seen a rule.

 

Personally I would clean directly after swabbing. Seems like commonsense. "If in Doubt, Clean it Out"

 

PS - Why Not ?

 

 

Because cleaning costs  

[Scampi]

Mr.Hillman..........the 300 may be because there wasn't long enough contact time with the chlorine before the last rinse.................

 

 

We are also organic so it's a challenge because of the potable water rinse that's required

[Charles.C]

Because cleaning costs  

 

Hi trubertq,

 

Trite but unquestionably accurate.