Allergen Management in Light of FSMA
Allergen management is a crucial component of food safety, especially as the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) continues to emphasize its importance. For food processors, particularly those working with food powders that contain common allergens, complying with these regulations is a top priority. Below are several key strategies to help food processing plants meet allergen management requirements under FSMA and ensure consumer safety.
1. Develop and Maintain an Allergy Control Plan
The foundation of allergen management in any food processing facility is a well-structured Allergy Control Plan. This document outlines how your company stores, handles, processes, packages, and identifies allergenic ingredients. It’s essential to ensure the plan is not static but is continually refined as your processes and regulatory requirements evolve. One valuable resource to guide the creation of your plan is the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) organization’s allergen control plan framework.
2. Audit Suppliers Regularly
As part of your due diligence, it’s vital to ensure that the ingredients sourced from external suppliers meet allergen safety standards. Regular audits of your suppliers will help confirm that they are following the proper protocols to prevent allergen contamination. It’s important to remember that your plant is responsible for the integrity of all ingredients, even those obtained from outside sources.
3. Use Color-Coded Tools to Prevent Cross-Contamination
An effective and straightforward way to minimize cross-contamination in your processing facility is by using color-coded tools. For example, designate specific colors for tools that are used in different allergen areas—red tools for tree nut processing and blue tools for wheat processing. This helps staff easily identify which equipment is safe for use in each area, reducing the risk of allergen cross-contact.
4. Establish a Detailed Cleaning Workflow
A robust cleaning workflow is essential to ensure that your equipment is thoroughly cleaned after each processing stage. This workflow should be standardized so that all staff members understand how to disassemble, clean, and reassemble equipment. Regular review and training on the workflow are key to maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and allergen safety.
5. Commit to Ongoing Employee Training
Employee training plays a crucial role in preventing allergen contamination. Your staff can be one of your most valuable assets when it comes to allergen management, but only if they are properly trained and kept up-to-date on best practices. Regular training sessions should cover the importance of allergen control, proper handling procedures, and how to identify potential contamination risks.
6. Evaluate and Improve Equipment
Your processing equipment is central to ensuring allergen-free products. To enhance the safety and cleanliness of your plant, consider switching to equipment designed to reduce the risk of allergen contamination. For instance, installing flexible BFM® fittings—designed with a crevice-free interior surface—can make equipment easier to clean and sanitize, helping prevent allergen buildup. This small investment in sanitary design can greatly improve your ability to meet FSMA compliance.
7. Stay Current with Regulatory Changes
The landscape of food safety is constantly evolving, and FSMA guidelines are regularly updated to address emerging risks and new scientific information. Staying on top of the latest FSMA requirements and FSIS guidelines for allergen control ensures that your plant remains compliant with the law while also prioritizing consumer safety.
By implementing these best practices, your plant can stay ahead of allergen-related risks and ensure your products are safe for all consumers. To learn more about how our equipment can help with FSMA compliance, contact us today.