6 replies to this topic

[INL]

Hello all,

 

I was wondering what exactly requirements you have for your laundry service supplier? Can you kindly share it? 

 

 

In one of the bullet points of the requirement 7.4.3 it is written that "the protective clothing is effectively cleaned (e.g. by the completion of microbiological validation and verification tests)".

My question is then how do YOU validate that the protective clothing is effectively cleaned? Do you require laundry company run tests, if yes, then how often they need to do that, every delivery, annually? Do you run tests your self? If yes, how often then?
OR maybe you have other ways to validate the cleanliness? 

 

We do not work with/produce high-risk products 

Edited by INL, 14 November 2024 - 12:21 PM.

[Dorothy87]

Hi  

 

Under this one you will face two requirements : 

 

3.5.3.1 - Management of suppliers of services and 7.4.3 - Protective clothing

 

Laundries (both in-house and contracted) must ensure that:

 

• dirty and clean clothing is adequately segregated to ensure that recently laundered items are not re-contaminated 

 

You should require : 

 

- Segregation procedure 

- GMP procedures 

 

• the protective clothing is effectively cleaned (e.g. by the completion of microbiological validation and verification tests)

 

- Washing process procedures

- Time and temperature documents

- Washing time, temperature and detergents (non-perfumed) validation and verification (coats swabs before washing and after) 

- risk assessment - how often they should verify coats cleanliness 

- laboratory valid accreditation 

- Allergens cross-contamination (coats swabs before washing and after)

- Quality checks - for example effectiveness of the drying process 

 

• cleaned clothes are protected from contamination until delivered to the site (e.g. through the use of covers or bags).

 

- cross-contamination procedure (removal of foreign body prior washing)

- segregation procedure (separated area for clean and dirty coats) 

- transportation of coats (for example coats for High risk areas shall be bagged, clean vehicles etc)

- Sharps control (for laundries completing garment repairs) 

 

•  traceability / others 

 

- individual garments shall be traced effectively so they can be returned to the appropriate customer 

- coats / garment life checks and replacement 

 

All above points shall be in the service agreement, if would be hard to trace the same coat for validation and verification unless you labelled it somehow. 

[INL]

Thank you Dorothy. I am afraid that a lot of laundry services are not capable to cover all theae requirements like for example swabs and verification from lab. Or of course they can do that most likely but then there is an financial side there but i guess there is no But and Maybe in this case even if we are processing low risk products and most of the production lines are closed

[jfrey123]

I can't speak to Norway, but a good number of the US based firms who offer uniforms/smocks with included laundry services also have HACCP programs now for the food sites they supply.  If your current one can't offer any explanations on their process controls for the laundering, might be a good chance to put out an RFP to other providers and have them demonstrate to you how partnering with them can improve your food safety.

[Cheesecakes & Cake]

Hello all,

 

I was wondering what exactly requirements you have for your laundry service supplier? Can you kindly share it? 

 

 

In one of the bullet points of the requirement 7.4.3 it is written that "the protective clothing is effectively cleaned (e.g. by the completion of microbiological validation and verification tests)".

My question is then how do YOU validate that the protective clothing is effectively cleaned? Do you require laundry company run tests, if yes, then how often they need to do that, every delivery, annually? Do you run tests your self? If yes, how often then?
OR maybe you have other ways to validate the cleanliness? 

 

We do not work with/produce high-risk products 

 

 

HI 

 

Into you swabbing schedule add in coats from each department (HC/LR etc) and swab clean coats for normal + paths.

Your laundry service should also be able to provide there own allergen testing regiments, use this as due diligence evidence to show that you have checked that the coats are coming back suitable.

You could also physically audit the laundry service if not accredited to GFSI standard?

 

Currently i process a 6m swab from HC and an annual swab from LC (x3 from each).

I request an annual document of results from laundry company.

Audited 09/24, auditor didn't even question any of this were happy with what was provided.

Context - RTE High Care Frozen deserts & LR bakery.

[INL]

Thank you so much everyone for sharing knowledge and experience, Ii think we found a solution and basically the easiest way, even though it is not the cheapest. We will aim for an approved laundry service supplier that has very good follow up routines as their "normal" routine, including swabs :) 

[GMO]

Sorry a bit late on replying on this.  Do remember that you're not doing high care or high risk foods.  I would be inclined to look for references for the time and temperature combination they are using being effective and a very limited number of swabs to validate this.  (It would be a good idea to do pre and post to demonstrate effective log reduction.)  You could then do some yearly verification of that process including any 3rd party audits they have or a site visit / audit and perhaps a couple of swabs.  I do not see the need in low risk foods for extensive and regular swabbing.

 

Not sure if this is helpful but this is UK guidance for contaminated linens (imagine the stuff you'd think is actually going to be thrown out kind of contaminated) so way worse than anything from the food industry:

 

Laundry treatments at high and low temperatures - Blood borne viruses (BBV)

 

But no doubt there will be academic papers out there.