Is there any standard for the level of infestation of flies?
Is there any standard that use level of infestation of flies?
Is there any standard that use level of infestation of flies?
Where ?
Is there any standard that use level of infestation of flies?
Hi Shazlin88 - not that I am aware, however your Quality standard (BRC or similar) and country specific legislation may provide some guidance & you may also have customer requirements.
UK retailers (and some other UK companies) now advise site should be maintained in a "pest free" condition.
BRC are more accommodating & the guidance notes have this advice for section 4.14 (pest control)
4.14 PEST MANAGEMENT
The whole site shall have an effective preventive pest management programme in place to minimise the risk of infestation and resources shall be available to respond rapidly to any issues which occur to prevent risk to products.
Pest management programmes shall comply with all applicable legislation.
Interpretation Management of pests must be undertaken at a level commensurate with the needs of the whole site, including temporary or seasonal facilities and all storage units, based on the:
• nature of identified potential pests, including rodents, insects and birds
• characteristics of raw materials (regarding their potential for stored insect pests)
• equipment
• finished products
• process
• site and environment (e.g. prevention of ingress and the removal potential pest harbourage)
• potential for future pest risks
• legal requirements in the country or region where the site is located.
Where instances of pest ingress (i.e. single occasion or low numbers) occur, these need to be appropriately investigated and actioned but must not be deemed as loss of control. However, where there is pest infestation (i.e. evidence of large numbers of pests breeding within the building or site over a period of time), this must be regarded as loss of control and a lack of maintenance of the pest management programme, and will lead to a major non-conformity being awarded.
BRC Global Standards publishes a separate best-practice guideline on pest management, which may be purchased from the BRC Global Standards bookshop (www.brcbookshop.com) or viewed online at BRC Participate (www.brcparticipate.com).
Is there any standard that use level of infestation of flies?
I think it matters what kind of flies, where the flies are and what type of item you are producing. If you have an infestation, you need to investigate and eliminate the source. You can't just let it be.
To add to the post by Lesley above, SQF Code states: 11.2.12.2 Identified pest activity shall not present a risk of contamination to food products, raw materials or packaging.
I don't believe that food safety standards define the numbers that constitute infestation, they would be expecting an approved pest controller or pest control expert to assess and define the situation.
A quote from Rentokil: Signs of a Fly Infestation:
Noticing a few noisy flies may not mean you have an infestation. However, it should act as a warning sign to take some preventative action.
Common signs:
Small dark clusters of spots - in light areas (the size of a pinhead)
Regular sighting of flies - around your home, food or bins
Maggots – these are flies in their larval stage and could indicate a potential breeding site on your property
Kind regards,
In addition to what has been said above, all what isn't flying around doesn't have to be cached.
For that reason, the lowest infestation level is the best.
Kind regards,
Gerard Heerkens