19 replies to this topic

[Sarahb3339]

Hello, 

 

My company is an SQF facility that manufactures dietary supplements.  We are looking to change over to using compressed air that would come from one huge compressor and be ran to four different rooms to operate machinery via hoses. It will be direct food contact.  

 

I am wondering if anyone has an example of a HACCP plan for this and risk assessment etc.  Is that all that is required for this or am I overlooking other procedures?  

 

Also, we currently have one HACCP plan.  Do I add the compressed air in with the current plan or do one specifically for the compressed air?   From what I have found the compressed air HACCP plan has been by itself.  However, I am wondering how I would tie that in with the current plan?

 

Any information would be greatly appreciated. 

[SQFconsultant]

Needs to be added.

 

Also, SQF requires testing on a routine basis for food contact compressed air systems.

[Sarahb3339]

Thank you.  I am uncertain how I would go about adding this TO my HACCP plan.  The compressor risk assessments that I am finding seem as if they need to be stand alone due to all of the information required to list about filter specs, material, etc. My current haccp plan addresses all of the processing and risks associated with every step from recieving to shipping out.  Any ideas how I would add the compressor to it? The compressor will go to three different machines for the polishing, bottling, and capping procedures. 

[Hank Major]

There needs to be mention of the compressed air in many places. For example, in your Hazard Analysis, it could be a chemical hazard since it could sent oil into the food. It needs to have mention in an SOP or three, and in the Preventative Maintenance Schedule. Its filter and that little oil glass needs to be checked on some sort of schedule.

[Sarahb3339]

Ah!  Okay.  So for example, if the compressed air is used to hook up to a machine for automation, for example, encapsulating,  I could address it in my HACCP for the encapsulating section where I identify the biological, physical and chemical hazards? The only CCP's we have now are metal detection and screening.  I'm wondering how I would determine the CCP number, make it CCP 3?

[Hank Major]

You don't need a CCP for every hazard.

[Sarahb3339]

Thank you, with that being said, I am going to make sure we are using the appropriate filters etc to ensure the contaminants, water, oil, etc aren't  getting through.  If I am preventing the problem before it gets a chance to be one , that is how I do not need to call this compressed air a ccp ? Am I thinking about this correctly?  I watched a webinar on this and it was mentioned that the filters, point of intake, and point of use filters were "ccp's.

[Hank Major]

The reason you are finding it difficult to envision a CCP for the compressed air is because it is much better handled by doing a Risk Assessment and calling the filters and the checking of the filters a Preventive Control.

[Sarahb3339]

Should this risk assessment be for the compressor itself?  And then during my processing step HACCP plan refer to this? I think I am confusing how to ingrate this because the compressor is an assessment itself seems like it needs its own documentation.  

[Sarahb3339]

This is my HACCP analysis currently. This is not the ccp determination portion.  Just so you get an idea of what I have.  Any suggestions on how I would address the compressor?

Attached Files

•  HACCP.PDF   913.58KB   247 downloads

[majoy]

This is my HACCP analysis currently. This is not the ccp determination portion.  Just so you get an idea of what I have.  Any suggestions on how I would address the compressor?

 

This a CFIA reference database for hazard. This is a good material for hazard analysis for air (compressed air)

 

http://active.inspec...azdane.aspx?i=2

[Charles.C]

It is currently usually handled via a PRP.

 

See file sh5 in this Post -

 

https://www.ifsqn.co...ent/#entry81054

[Sarahb3339]

Thank you so much !  This helps drastically. :)

[Tresa]

Hi everyone,

 

How should I add compressed air to the HACCP process flow diagram? is it required?

[kingstudruler1]

Hi everyone,

 

How should I add compressed air to the HACCP process flow diagram? is it required?

yes ,it is required.   I would have a arrow pointing to each place it is used in the process.   bad example attached

Attached Files

•  flow example.xlsx   10.29KB   87 downloads

[kingstudruler1]

This is my HACCP analysis currently. This is not the ccp determination portion.  Just so you get an idea of what I have.  Any suggestions on how I would address the compressor?

just add another step and call it compressed air.   then  asses the c, b, p risks and address them.

 

your hazard analysis looks too simple to me.   let me know if you would like more  help.    

[Tresa]

yes ,it is required.   I would have a arrow pointing to each place it is used in the process.   bad example attached

Thank you, what risks should I consider for B, C, P for compressed air?

[Charles.C]

Thank you, what risks should I consider for B, C, P for compressed air?

 

Hi Tresa,

 

I suggest to get an analysis done so as to compare to Standards, eg - 

 

https://www.ifsqn.co...ent/#entry81054

 

https://www.ifsqn.co...race-analytics/

 

It's surely easier IMO to handle compressed air as a PRP and thereby avoid hazard analysis issues/subtleties.(eg Post 12).

 

Or just invest in a Sterile Filter, eg here is a "previous" SQF scenario -

 

 sterile air.png   438.19KB   7 downloads

[Tresa]

Hi Tresa,

 

I suggest to get an analysis done so as to compare to Standards, eg - 

 

https://www.ifsqn.co...ent/#entry81054

 

https://www.ifsqn.co...race-analytics/

 

It's surely easier IMO to handle compressed air as a PRP and thereby avoid hazard analysis issues/subtleties.(eg Post 12).

 

Or just invest in a Sterile Filter, eg here is a "previous" SQF scenario -

 

sterile air.png

Thank you very much for the information. so i can tell there is a possibility of microbial contamination due to inappropriate filtration, right? what can i consider as a chemical contamination?

[Charles.C]

Thank you very much for the information. so i can tell there is a possibility of microbial contamination due to inappropriate filtration, right? what can i consider as a chemical contamination?

 

Hi Tresa,

 

Please study the excel file, especially the extracts on sheet sh4/sh5/"oil".