> Date: Mon, 08 Nov 1999 22:39:32
> From: Bluestem Associates <bluestem@webserf.net>
> To: "sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu" <sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu>
> Subject: Re: HACCP
>
> On Mon, 8 Nov 1999 14:16:46 -0700, Edna M Weigel wrote:
>
> >Can someone explain the requirements and implications of HACCP in 100
> >words or less?
>
> Analyse your entire operation from beginning to end to determine which
> elements present the possibility of contamination with human pathogens.
>
> Having determined the elements of risk, analyse each element in detail
> to determine at what points it is possible to control contamination,
> should it have occurred.
>
> For each of those critical control points establish procedures for
> contamination control. Critical procedures must be precisely defined
> and measurable.
>
> Implement systems of *documented* monitoring at each CCP to ensure that
> requisite conditions have been met.
>
> Develop mandatory procedures for situations in which CCP requisite
> conditions have not been met, including precise criteria for
> determining at what point the threat has been removed and normal
> procedures and monitoring can be resumed.
>
>
> BTW, it's 117 words, so please forgive the extra verbiage, but broadly
> put, that should about get it. Some practitioners choose to include
> contamination by toxins, grease, insect parts, and so on, though
> strictly speaking HACCP is primarily orientated towards microbial
> contamination.
>
> On a small vegetable farm it will profoundly affect (amongst other
> things): manure handling, manure/compost applications, supervision of
> anyone touching the vegetables, how vegetables are picked, cooled and
> stored, sanitation on the packing line, and supervision of packing line
> workers. If you think organic certification is a pain in the bottom,
> just wait until you have to have a system capable of ensuring that all
> who touch the vegetables have washed their hands after the toilet.
Proper sanitation _is_ extremely important but I imagine that if these
regulations are enforced 90% of US small growers will go out of business.
It seems obvious that "contamination by toxins, grease, insect parts"
should be included in procedures to ensure sanitation of product.
I just love the way not a word was mentioned about pesticides; its almost
as if Dennis Avery had a hand in that special feature.
Lawrence F. London, Jr. Venaura Farm
http://metalab.unc.edu/intergarden
/permaculture /intergarden/orgfarm /ecolandtech
lflondon@mindspring.com london@metalab.unc.edu
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