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levels are high or sanitation procedures are indicator organisms, spoilage organisms, and crobiological hazards in both the produc-
inadequate, microorganisms may establish pathogens of concern in a timely manner. tion and post-production environment
and can contaminate food products leading To reduce the risk of microbial product when well-developed and effectively
to foodborne illness outbreak. contamination, one must have insight into implemented as an integral component
Various pathogenic microorganisms implementing an effective EMP in a food of prerequisite programs.
such as E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and facility and properly interpreting the data • Helps to identify harborage niches and hot
Salmonella spp. have well-established his- to initiate appropriate corrective actions. spots in a plant that may act as a source
tories of being potential contaminants in of contamination.
food-handling environments. Hence, it is EMP BENEFITS • Is a critical aspect of documenting the
critical to monitor the hygienic environment Some of the key benefits of EMP are that it: overall sanitary state of the facility.
in the food manufacturing facility for the • Measures the overall effectiveness of • Validates the sanitation program and helps
production of high quality and safe food sanitary design, personnel practices, and in determining the frequency required for
products. An environmental monitoring operational methods. cleaning and sanitation.
program (EMP) will assess the effectiveness • Provides information (source and con-
of the overall hygienic practices in a facil- centration) about indicator organisms, EMP is not designed to validate the
ity and provide necessary information to spoilage organisms, and/or pathogens of effectiveness of cleaning and sanitizing
prevent possible microbial contamination concern in a timely manner, so that ap- methods, but is more focused on validating
of food products. Keep in mind that EMP propriate corrective actions can be initiated cleaning and sanitizing frequencies, and all
does not make food safe. Rather, it provides to prevent potential microbial outbreaks. the programs of the Good Manufacturing
valuable data (source and concentration) on • Acts as an early warning system for mi- Practices (21 CFR).
Table 2: Example of an environmental monitoring program and sampling plan. It is recommended that food manufacturing facilities customize their
EMPs after careful evaluation of microbial risks associated with their products and in compliance with the regulatory guidance/standards. The sampling
frequency, type of indicator microorganism, and number of samples per zone can be modified after reviewing the results and assessing the effectiveness
of corrective actions.
The author is Director of Microbiology and To schedule food safety microbiology consultation or
Food Safety Education, AIB International. training at your facility, contact
AIB’s Food Safety Education Department
at 800-633-5137 or
foodsafetyeducation@aibonline.org.