{"id":3741,"date":"2020-07-13T14:20:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-13T06:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/?p=3741"},"modified":"2022-03-12T13:12:06","modified_gmt":"2022-03-12T05:12:06","slug":"the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/?p=3741&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"The importance of Environmental Monitoring Programs in the COVID-19 context"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>The food industry, in general, is important in any country, not only&nbsp;<strong>providing food<\/strong>&nbsp;to the public but contributing to the&nbsp;<strong>economy<\/strong>. All organisations throughout the supply chain are responsible to provide&nbsp;<strong>safe, quality, and nutritious food&nbsp;<\/strong>and must adhere to strict rules and requirements that include legal and customer requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The food industry however also faces many&nbsp;<strong>challenges<\/strong>&nbsp;that could result in products not conforming to specifications &#8211; posing a possible<strong>&nbsp;public health risk.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>These challenges include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Climate change<\/li><li>Outbreaks\/pandemics<\/li><li>Lack of communication between stakeholders<\/li><li>Potential for food fraud<\/li><li>Economic and political instability<\/li><li>Higher demand for food<\/li><li>Low maturity of food safety culture<\/li><li>The potential of cross-contamination during production, etc.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>With regard to the<strong>&nbsp;potential of cross-contamination<\/strong>&nbsp;during production, food handlers and manufacturers are required to implement effective measures to&nbsp;<strong>minimize or prevent<\/strong>&nbsp;cross-contamination and to establish and implement formal&nbsp;<strong>Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>FSMS are dependent on&nbsp;<strong>accurate identification<\/strong>&nbsp;of Food Safety Hazards and the effective implementation of control measures,<strong>&nbsp;i.e. Pre-Requisite Programs (PRP\u2019s)<\/strong>. In addition to the control of hazards, those responsible for managing the FSMS must&nbsp;<strong>monitor and verify the effectiveness<\/strong>&nbsp;of the control measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An&nbsp;<strong>Environmental Monitoring Programme (EMP)<\/strong>&nbsp;is a tool that can be used to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Provide an efficient proactive <strong>risk reduction tool <\/strong>(\u201cseek and destroy\u201d). It should be considered a \u2018\u2018win\u2019\u2019 when environmental samples test positive during routine monitoring<\/li><li>Conduct an <strong>in-depth investigational sampling<\/strong> when the routine program indicates a problem<\/li><li><strong>Verify the effectiveness <\/strong>of sanitation, sanitary design, employee practices, and other Good Manufacturing Practices<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"452\" height=\"124\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2607\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-1.png 452w, https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-1-300x82.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 452px) 100vw, 452px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>An EMP is not meant to be a checklist but a&nbsp;<strong>roadmap to controlling pathogens&nbsp;<\/strong>in food manufacturing sites. An investigational approach that includes a root cause analysis and corrective actions is key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key elements of an EMP:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Sampling Zones<\/li><li>Risk Assessment<\/li><li>Sampling plan<\/li><li>Corrective Actions<\/li><li>Data Management<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sampling Zones<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sampling zones are areas within the manufacturing plant that are categorized according to their&nbsp;<strong>proximity to the product<\/strong>&nbsp;and differing levels of&nbsp;<strong>risk<\/strong>&nbsp;of product contamination. Pathogens to include in a sampling plan should be those that are&nbsp;<strong>specific for food matrix and production.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Movement of people, equipment, and materials, as well as the age of the plant and sanitation programs, all need to be reviewed over time.&nbsp;<\/strong>Each hygienic zone may have different tests and risks associated. The number and frequency of the tests may vary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>There are four (4) Sampling Zones; i.e. Zone 1, 2, 3 and 4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1108\" height=\"698\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2608\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-2.png 1108w, https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-2-300x189.png 300w, https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-2-1024x645.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-2-768x484.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1108px) 100vw, 1108px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Risk Assessment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A Risk Assessment should be conducted,&nbsp;<strong>regardless of the size of the facility,<\/strong>&nbsp;which will provide information to assist the organisation in determining&nbsp;<strong>whether an EMP is needed<\/strong>&nbsp;(see Flow Diagram). Where an EMP is required, the outcome of the Risk Assessment will also provide information to establish a&nbsp;<strong>sampling plan.<\/strong>&nbsp;The Risk Assessment can be conducted by a multi-disciplinary team and consists of Maintenance, Sanitation, Quality Assurance\/Quality Control (QA\/QC), Production, and Engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The outcome of the Risk Assessment will assist in identifying key areas and potential routes of contamination.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Aspects to take into consideration include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Traffic patterns (staff, product, waste, contractors, forklifts, tools, etc.)<\/li><li>Water\/condensation<\/li><li>Poor cleaning practices<\/li><li>Gaps in floors, porous floor materials<\/li><li>Smells (bad smell can indicate general hygiene problems also allowing\/facilitating pathogen entries)<\/li><li>Cracks \/ bad infrastructure (cracks in columns can allow for water rinsing down &amp; spreading contaminations)<\/li><li>Emergency Doors \/ Roof Access<\/li><li>Product exposure \u2013 lines open to the room<\/li><li>General access (doors\/hatches between different processing areas)<\/li><li>Drains<\/li><li>Footbridges\/stair<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1121\" height=\"744\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2609\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-3.png 1121w, https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-3-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-3-1024x680.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-3-768x510.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1121px) 100vw, 1121px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sampling Plan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The outcome of the Risk Assessment and review of historical data (e.g. positive testing results from the past) results in the identification of most relevant&nbsp;<strong>sampling points<\/strong>&nbsp;to establish and implement a sampling plan that includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Sample locations (documented on-site\/production area plan)<\/li><li>Sampling frequency<\/li><li>Type of sampling (swabs, air plates, etc.)<\/li><li>Sampling size<\/li><li>Target organisms (pathogens, indicator organisms, etc.)<\/li><li>Acceptable limits<\/li><li>Sampling equipment &amp; technique (Independent, competent, aseptic)<\/li><li>Test methods<\/li><li>Test laboratory<\/li><li>Responsible persons (performing sampling, evaluating\/analysing results, corrective actions)<\/li><li>Corrective Action procedures<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Corrective Actions<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Establish a&nbsp;<strong>documented procedure<\/strong>&nbsp;for the handling of out of spec results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Procedure to include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Responsible person for initiating and implementing corrective action<\/li><li>Who must be informed and contacted<\/li><li>A risk assessment completed based on unsatisfactory result vs product risk<\/li><li>Root cause analysis investigation (see table below for possible causes)<\/li><li>Corrective action defined, agreed and carried out<\/li><li>Any actions and repeat analysis captured and documented<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"844\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2610\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-4.png 844w, https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-4-300x120.png 300w, https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-4-768x308.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 844px) 100vw, 844px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Data Management<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Proper data management is key for the&nbsp;<strong>success<\/strong>&nbsp;of an EMP, and to have real-time actions in case of positive results and relevant long term improvements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Exhaustive data gathering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Each sampling point should be very carefully defined and registered<\/li><li>Circumstances of sampling should be documented<\/li><li>Key information to capture:<ul><li>Room, equipment, surface, zoning area (1, 2, 3, 4\u2026), day, hour, the status of the surface (after cleaning, in process\u2026), the status of the equipment (stopped, dismantled&#8230;), specific risk factor (after maintenance intervention\u2026), who did the sampling, how the sampling was done (swabbing with a sponge\u2026)<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Regular data analysis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Systematic trend analysis is required to assess a loss of control or recurrence of contamination<\/li><li>Need for predefined target values and mitigation plans in case of non-conformities<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In conclusion, Key Takeaways:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Risk assessment is key in initial steps of EMP development<\/li><li>Historical data are is an important source of information<\/li><li>Any high risk positive should lead to an investigational control plan involving all departments to facilitate proper root cause analysis<\/li><li>Zero positive over years means either perfect hygiene or, more probably, an insufficient EMP<\/li><li>Data management is key for effective \u2018\u2018seek and destroy approach\u2018\u2018<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition,&nbsp;<strong>managing and monitoring&nbsp;<\/strong>the effectiveness of an EMP is important to identify opportunities for improvement.&nbsp;<strong>Regular reviews<\/strong>&nbsp;are required, as is staying up to date with current trends.<strong>Get in touch with our Technical Specialists for assistance with any of the EMP-related services below:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Assistance with the <strong>implementation<\/strong> <strong>or<\/strong> <strong>review <\/strong>of <strong>client-specific <\/strong>Environmental Monitoring Programmes<\/li><li><strong>Sampling:<\/strong><ul><li>Surface<\/li><li>Air<\/li><li>Product<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Problem-solving<\/strong><ul><li>Root cause analysis performed for non-conforming performances\/results through inspection and strategic sampling to identify the source of the problem.<\/li><li>Corrective actions recommend how to resolve the problem.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Training<\/strong><ul><li>Sampling techniques<\/li><li>Developing an EMP<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>EnviroMap &#8211; Environmental Monitoring Software<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1280\" height=\"163\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-5.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2611\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-5.png 1280w, https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-5-300x38.png 300w, https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-5-1024x130.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-5-768x98.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>EnviroMap\u662f\u4e00\u4e2a<strong>\u57fa\u4e8e\u4e91<\/strong>\u7684<strong>\u5b89\u5168\u7cfb\u7edf<\/strong>\uff0c\u53ef\u8ba9\u60a8<strong>\u81ea\u52a8\u6267\u884c<\/strong>\u73af\u5883\u76d1\u63a7\u7a0b\u5e8f\u5e76\u534f\u52a9\u6574\u4e2a<strong>\u91c7\u6837\u751f\u547d\u5468\u671f<\/strong>\u3002EnviroMap\u5728\u5de5\u5382\u5730\u56fe\u4e0a\u6e05\u6670\u663e\u793a\uff0c\u662f\u540c\u7c7b\u6700\u4f73\u7684\u89e3\u51b3\u65b9\u6848\uff0c\u53ef\u4e3a\u60a8\u7684\u4e1a\u52a1\u5e26\u6765\u5de8\u5927\u6536\u76ca\uff0c\u4ece\u800c\u89e3\u51b3\u60a8\u7684\u95ee\u9898\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"598\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-6.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2612\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-6.png 600w, https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-6-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/thumbnails_image_the-importance-of-environmental-monitoring-programs-in-the-covid-19-context-6-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>References<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>http:\/\/www.fao.org\/uploads\/media\/Codex_2004_sampling_CAC_GL_50.pdf<\/li><li>http:\/\/www.fao.org\/fao-who-codexalimentarius\/codex-texts\/guidelines\/en\/<\/li><li>https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/sampling-plans<\/li><li>https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/media\/102633\/download<\/li><li>https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/food\/safety\/international_affairs\/standard_setting_bodies\/codex\/ccmas_en<\/li><li>Timothy Freier and Joseph Sebuski; Environmental Monitoring Decision Tree, March 2014<\/li><li>Article: \u2018\u2018M\u00e9rieux NutriSciences, M\u00e9rieux NutriSciences Spotlight &#8211; Sharing our expertise in an easy-to-read e-book: Environmental Monitoring, 2018.\u2019\u2019<\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The food industry, in general, is important in any coun [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[106],"tags":[],"modified_by":"amyadmin","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3741"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3741"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3741\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3742,"href":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3741\/revisions\/3742"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3741"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3741"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com.cn\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3741"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}