What types of microbes can be found on plastic packaging?
Hello,
we are producing plastic packagings for the food industry. We use both thermoforming as injection moulding technology in our factories. I'm preparing an environmental monitoring plan and I'm looking for info regarding the type of micro-organisms that can be found on these type of packaging as well as the the time micro-orgnisms can survive on these packagings
can someone recommend some literature?l
Hello,
we are producing plastic packagings for the food industry. We use both thermoforming as injection moulding technology in our factories. I'm preparing an environmental monitoring plan and I'm looking for info regarding the type of micro-organisms that can be found on these type of packaging as well as the the time micro-orgnisms can survive on these packagings
can someone recommend some literature?l
Hi NVEK,
Is there a particular, eg GFSI recognised, FS Standard involved ?
Hello Charles,
the new brcgs packaging standard (issue 6) e demands a risk assessment on Environmental monitoring . I ve found a lot of examples in the food industry, but the info regarding packagings however is rather limited.
kind regards Nicole
Hi Nicole ,
According to BRC ISSUE 6 PACKAGING MATERIALS Interpretation Guideline, Clause 4.8.5 Risk-based microbiological environmental monitoring it is stated as below :
•• target organisms – these may include specific organisms that could present a risk to the product or environment (e.g. Listeria spp in wet environments or Enterobacteriaceae in dry environments) or indicator organisms (e.g. total plate count).
Also you may refer to the below link "Environmental monitoring – are you complying with BRCGS Issue 6?" by Campden BRI
https://www.campdenb...RCGS-issue6.php
if local regulations stated specific criteria , or your customers state a specific criteria in the communicated specification , you can use it .
BR,
Ehab
Hello Charles,
the new brcgs packaging standard (issue 6) e demands a risk assessment on Environmental monitoring . I ve found a lot of examples in the food industry, but the info regarding packagings however is rather limited.
kind regards Nicole
Hi Nicole,
There has been some discussion regarding (a) EMPG/BRC Packaging (and other GFSI-recognised Standards) on this thread, and (b) Packaging bacterial contamination aspects in general.
Not sure if you are aware that BRC have published a Packaging Position Statement on this topic ?. Available in Post 6 of 1st thread linked below.
Regarding (a), Based on previous threads, a quick answer to yr query for BRC/EMPG POV appears likely to be APC, Y&M, Enterobacteriaceae. Pathogens likely not involved (see the quote in Post 6 noted below). These 2 threads ( and possibly others) are probably BRC useful -
https://www.ifsqn.co...ng/#entry151317
(particularly Posts 2,6)
https://www.ifsqn.co...ht/#entry145707
(particularly [BRC] Posts 8-10, 25)
Regarding (b), for Packaging/microbial-related in General, can try this post/thread -
https://www.ifsqn.co...ing/#entry51214
Regarding yr query on microbial survival times, I think there is published data on this aspect but offhand I don't recall it being discussed here in detail other than perhaps in some general hygiene threads. (there is certainly recent data on the COVID-19 virus !)