By: Wim Horckmans
Earlier in 2023, the FASFC approved and published an additional module to the existing auto-control guides: 'Control of environmental pathogens in the food industry' (GM4, version 1 dated 23-02-2023).
That module calls for additional attention to preventing the accumulation of environmental pathogens that may enter food via cross-contamination.
Optimal control of the baseline conditions programme is obviously crucial. In addition, risk-based and effective environmental monitoring will become part of verification.
With the exception of sector-specific environmental pathogens (e.g. E. coli STEC in beef and raw milk cheese) are Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. the most relevant pathogens within the food industry.
Such environmental pathogens may occur once as 'passerines'. But when they are not inactivated by standard cleaning and disinfection procedures, they can establish themselves in the production environment (in so-called 'niches'). Think of biofilm formation and hiding places as a result of unsanitary design or damage. Then one has to deal with 'house strains'.
Based on modern techniques using molecular typing and genetic characterisation of isolates, it is even possible to identify sources of contamination and routes of cross-contamination.
As always, it starts with awareness. Then comes management involvement and division of responsibilities. A risk assessment will determine where additional measures impose themselves.
To give operators time to implement this module in their self-checking system, there is a 2-year transition period. After all, a solid trend analysis does not emerge in a matter of weeks.
Link to the FASFC 'application modalities' letter: https://www.favv-afsca.be/autocontrole-nl/sectorspecifieketools/_documents/01_BriefGM4OP-toAllNL_v2.pdf
Link to generic module GM4 'Control of environmental pathogens in the food industry': https://www.favv-afsca.be/autocontrole-nl/sectorspecifieketools/_documents/ModuleGM4Omgevingspathov2023-02-23NL.pdf
