What controls are required when RTE and baked are produced in the same facility?
Hi,
I am working on a product that is "Ready to eat'. Ingredients (all are RTE) are mixed and formed in a sphere and coated in chocolate. The co-manufacturer making this product also makes cookies in the same facility and on same extrusion/enrobing line.
RTE is new product category for them and they are looking at how to implement CCPs on this type of RTE product.
My suggestion based on advice given to me was segregation of ingredients in warehousing (RTE ingredients vs raw flour), during mixing/batching (no other 'raw flour' product could be mixed - to avoid flour dust).
Can anyone suggest if these are appropriate or not?
Hi,
I am working on a product that is "Ready to eat'. Ingredients (all are RTE) are mixed and formed in a sphere and coated in chocolate. The co-manufacturer making this product also makes cookies in the same facility and on same extrusion/enrobing line.
RTE is new product category for them and they are looking at how to implement CCPs on this type of RTE product.
My suggestion based on advice given to me was segregation of ingredients in warehousing (RTE ingredients vs raw flour), during mixing/batching (no other 'raw flour' product could be mixed - to avoid flour dust).
Can anyone suggest if these are appropriate or not?
Hi fchauhan,
Cookies are not RTE ?
Assuming you are familiar with haccp, etc, you need to some some detailed BCPA risk assessment based on the process steps/process flow/environment/cross contamination.
I'm with Charles..........super confused by your post
how are you ingredients processed by your suppliers?
The other copacker does make an RTE product already-------but I will caution you both on introducing chocolate (unless you mean that fake "chocolatey" stuff).........it has some very specific risks that neither facility will be used too
as far as the movement of potentially contaminated flour dust, i'd be more concerned with allergen cross contamination, something you've not mentioned
Yes, cookies are RTE once baked.
My product has no processing 'kill' step. The only control is CoA verification of incoming materials. My ingredients has stricter requirements compared to the ones going into a baked/ processed (with 'kill' step) product.
Any one with the experience of 2 different product categories in one plant?
I'm with Charles..........super confused by your post
how are you ingredients processed by your suppliers?
The other copacker does make an RTE product already-------but I will caution you both on introducing chocolate (unless you mean that fake "chocolatey" stuff).........it has some very specific risks that neither facility will be used too
as far as the movement of potentially contaminated flour dust, i'd be more concerned with allergen cross contamination, something you've not mentioned
All my ingredients are treated and have RTE status.
I am using compound chocolate (dairy free) so the risk is minimized.
Facility is allergen free and all products produced are also allergen free so no risk of allergen cross contamination. Gluten (wheat flour) is the only allergen used. My product is listed with gluten cross contact so i am not concerned with that.
Got it
Generally speaking, those would not be processed in the same physical space, you'd have a room dedicated to the stricter controls required
If they cannot do that, then the next best thing would be a designated (preferably first production day of the week) RTE day or 1/2 day so the the sanitation team would have the opportunity it deep clean prior to running RTE using the same equipment (mixers etc)
You would need to segregate the warehouse and colour code everything
Cross reference incoming lots codes of treated ingredients and record each one on the batch record. This product would be best in the facility, to be put on a hold and release program giving the QA manager the opportunity to review all of the input ingredients to ensure no raw went through before releasing them for shipping
And EVERYONE in that facility needs trained on how important it is to keep the RTE ingredients segregated.
Allergens.......the cookies they make don't use egg either? or butter?
Must be some bland cookie products......