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LHeywood

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Posted 26 September 2019 - 02:35 AM

I am trying to find some guidance and microbiological limits on cardboard food packaging. We manufacture both primary and secondary contact packaging and have been carrying out swab testing every 3 months. However, my predecessor has documented salmonella, listeria and coliform limits at <1 which seems extremely low given that our swab results are coming back at <10. Any advice is appreciated.



Charles.C

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Posted 26 September 2019 - 04:32 AM

I am trying to find some guidance and microbiological limits on cardboard food packaging. We manufacture both primary and secondary contact packaging and have been carrying out swab testing every 3 months. However, my predecessor has documented salmonella, listeria and coliform limits at <1 which seems extremely low given that our swab results are coming back at <10. Any advice is appreciated.

 

Try this thread -

 

https://www.ifsqn.co...ing/#entry51255

 

I anticipate that <1(unitX) and < 10(unitZ) either have different units or both represent a "nil"  detection but by different methods.

 

Method / calc. details required to interpret.


Kind Regards,

 

Charles.C


LHeywood

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Posted 26 September 2019 - 07:59 PM

Thanks Charles. Our food safety documentation does not state what the units are. The test results are <10 cfu/swab (APHA 3.8/APHA 9.73).

It seems that there is insufficient research to establish what the limits should be for board packaging.

Thanks again for your time



Charles.C

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Posted 26 September 2019 - 08:34 PM

Thanks Charles. Our food safety documentation does not state what the units are. The test results are <10 cfu/swab (APHA 3.8/APHA 9.73).

It seems that there is insufficient research to establish what the limits should be for board packaging.

Thanks again for your time

 

Well, it's true there is a lack of data, but one might tentatively suggest -

 

TVC < 1 / cm2

 

Coliforms < 1 / cm2

 

zero-tolerant pathogens (eg Salmonella, L.monocytogenes) "not detected" / 100 cm2

 

Unfortunately, swab-based data is only useful for comparitive purposes if the area is included.

 

JFI, here is a much wider presentation for environmental surfaces -

 

https://www.ifsqn.co...ces/#entry60958


Kind Regards,

 

Charles.C


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