Final Report of an Audit Conducted In Argentina September 9th, through September 25th, 2013
Evaluating the Food Safety Systems Governing the Production of Beef And Poultry Meat Products Intended for Export to Canada
6. Sanitation Controls
An inspection system must contain requirements for sanitation, for sanitary handling of products, and for the development and implementation of sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOP). The pre-operational and operational sanitation standard operating procedures should minimise direct and indirect contamination of meat products to the greatest extent possible and be practicable. A properly implemented sanitation program must ensure that establishment, facilities, and equipment are cleaned and sanitized prior to start of operations, and includes the operational sanitation procedures, which will ensure that the appropriate hygiene is maintained during operations. SENASA staff performed a daily pre-operational inspection at all the establishments audited.
During the on-site portion of the audits, weaknesses were identified at one establishment in the manner in which the company performed and the inspection personnel verified the implementation of pre-operational sanitation procedures. The CFIA auditor identified obvious fat residue on transfer belts, cutting boards and metal bins in the evisceration and processing area. During the follow-up discussion, the CCA agreed to review their approach to preoperational inspection to ensure that the task was done in an effective manner.
During the review of the preoperational records, the frequency of verification and what was exactly to be done (record review versus onsite verification) was not always clear.
Operational controls for knife sanitation were very good throughout the work shift at the plants audited.
All plants audited used water that was sourced from underground wells or rivers. SENASA conducts regular water testing in all plants for microbial testing every 15 days and phyiso-chemical standards every 6 months. SENASA also checks the chlorine level twice a day, once during pre-operation and once during operations.
Pest control is well-controlled by SENASA. There are official documents that are submitted by the operator every 15 days which list the chemicals that have been used, all of which must be approved for use by SENASA.
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