Pre-op checklist

We are looking at revising our pre-op procedures. We are a small operation. I am curious as to what kind of checklists others use during their pre-ops?

Dear Kmerian,

It really depends on your operation and what machines you have, what kind of product you make, are you FDA/USDA?? Etc,etc...  Pre-op means you need to look at each piece of equipment you have prior to use and gauge whether or not it has been cleaned/sanitized enough to run.  The operators that start the line need to sign that each piece of OK to start.

If they are any pieces unsuitable for start up, they will then need to document that, and what was done to make it acceptable to use.

Don't make it too complicated, otherwise the operators will look at them as a chore. We also added a brittle plastic check to their pre-ops for an added layer of protection.

Hello, I have also found that on your checklist try to make as simple as possible by not requiring a lot of writing we revised one of our checklists recently to simply  have them circle yes or no to what ever they are checking and only if they say no to that question are they required to comment, before they had to comment none found or no issues found now it is simply No or if Yes is circled then a comment is required. Initials required at the bottom of checklist to show who checked.  Hope this helps.

My pre-op checklist includes high risk glass too.

For USDA, does each piece of equipment need a date, time, and initial in addition to the acceptable/unacceptable? Ours has always had it, but wondering if I could reduce the number of times the date & time is entered...

For USDA, does each piece of equipment need a date, time, and initial in addition to the acceptable/unacceptable? Ours has always had it, but wondering if I could reduce the number of times the date & time is entered...

The only USDA requirement is 9 CFR 416. If you and your SSOP's can justify that these requirements are met, you're good. 

We conduct a daily pre-op. One date, no time. Keep it simple. Acceptable, not acceptable, or not in use. Initials of who is conducting pre-op. For all those not acceptable, what was the deficiency, corrective action, and preventive measure? 

I agree to keep form as simple as possible. - We record:

• the production date at the top of the form, 
• one time for when the entire pre-op process was finished for that area, this has helped us with NR's in the past because the inspector would start his inspection before we had finished ours and we were able to appeal them.
• we have each pre-opper sign the top of the form but you could have them initial
• we pre-printed the list of each piece of food contact equipment in that area on the form with a check box for acceptable or unacceptable or not in use.
• If a piece of equipment is marked unacceptable then we require a comment of why. 
• We have a pre-typed statement for corrective action stating "All unacceptable areas were recleaned, reinspected and sanitized." with an area for the pre-oppers to initial and date that the corrective action was taken.  If nothing was unacceptable then this section is left blank.
• We no longer require preventive measures for areas found unacceptable at pre-op since FSIS put out a statement that it was not a requirement for issues found at pre-op.
• We also have a pre-typed general statement on our form addressing that all non-food contact areas/equipment were cleaned, sanitized and passed inspection before areas were released for production and the pre-oppers initial that section as well, to document it was done.

Fortunately there are many ways to prove you are doing what is required, just make it as simple and easy as possible for everyone.

I agree to keep form as simple as possible. - We record:

• the production date at the top of the form, 
• one time for when the entire pre-op process was finished for that area, this has helped us with NR's in the past because the inspector would start his inspection before we had finished ours and we were able to appeal them.
• we have each pre-opper sign the top of the form but you could have them initial
• we pre-printed the list of each piece of food contact equipment in that area on the form with a check box for acceptable or unacceptable or not in use.
• If a piece of equipment is marked unacceptable then we require a comment of why. 
• We have a pre-typed statement for corrective action stating "All unacceptable areas were recleaned, reinspected and sanitized." with an area for the pre-oppers to initial and date that the corrective action was taken.  If nothing was unacceptable then this section is left blank.
• We no longer require preventive measures for areas found unacceptable at pre-op since FSIS put out a statement that it was not a requirement for issues found at pre-op.
• We also have a pre-typed general statement on our form addressing that all non-food contact areas/equipment were cleaned, sanitized and passed inspection before areas were released for production and the pre-oppers initial that section as well, to document it was done.

Fortunately there are many ways to prove you are doing what is required, just make it as simple and easy as possible for everyone.

 Can you direct me to the statement from FSIS that said preventive measures aren't required for pre-op?

This is the link for that ASK FSIS Question concerning Preventative Measures for issues discovered at pre-op.  If the link does not work I might can snip-it a shot of the screen for you.

http://askfsis.custh...WQvVGc1SlpPM20=