EAS 2024 Reassessment of EMPsGrabarek

Many of the environmental monitoring programs (EMP) have been established with the mindset of “seek and destroy” and targeted toward finding and eliminating foodborne pathogens in the production environment. Some EMP programs have identified sampling locations for routine testing especially in ready-to eat areas in the plant environment; others may include not-ready-to-eat areas. Due to the potential impact posed by implementing corrective actions during production and disruption to plant operations, the sampling locations identified are heavily focused on Zones 3 and 4 areas, and may include Zone 2 areas, only if required by a customer or as directed by regulations in certain States. Zone 1 testing is often not part of the routing sampling program. However, if contamination has already traversed to Zone 1 areas, product contamination is inevitable. Build-up of residues interior of the equipment can occur which may not always be visible for inspection and microbial testing verification. Hence, may avoid detection until pathogen testing of the finished product reveals presence of a pathogen. Furthermore, sampling sites can vary based on the nature of the product, process, and equipment design. Learn from EAS Consulting experts how you can utilize visual inspection, ATP monitoring, and microbial testing of Zone 1 areas to avoid establishment of a niche interior of the process equipment.