Requirements for HACCP system implementation in a minimally processed plant

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Sanitation Standard Procedures Operation (SSOP) are Pre-requisite Programs (PPRs) for the HACCP system implementation, being the initial step at the adoption of an Assurance Quality System in the Food Industry. A Brazilian produce line was evaluated according to PPRs compliance and microbiological analysis of processing water, equipments/utensils and workers of packing room were performed. Several failures were detected in the auditing and presence of pathogens and microbial groups at values from the Brazilian legislation (range from <3 to>16 MNP/100 mL and 7-2400 MPN/cm² for total and fecal coliform at the water processing and equipments/utensils, respectively). S. aureus was not detected on the handlers, while E. coli was present on them and absent at the water processing. The results indicate the produce unit do not have conditions for the HACCP implementation, being necessary corrective actions to improve the safety of environmental processing, like pest control, food hygiene training and an effective control of standard parameters process.

pre-requisite programs; HACCP; minimally processed vegetables