Quality Assurance Systems Flashcards
what is the purpose of quality assurance systems?
-help to provide consumers and businesses with guarantees that food has been produced to a particular set of standards
-food is fit for human consumption
what are 3 quality assurance systems?
-Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
-quality assurance schemes
-Food traceability
how does GMP used to ensure safe food production?
-ensures all products meet safety, quality and legal requirements
-outlines the methods, equipment, facilities and controls which are used are safe
-monitor interior and exterior conditions of production facility, employee hygiene and allergen controls
-GMP describes the general conditions but product specific GMP can be developed
-voluntary scheme
-if they have GMP records must be kept of processing, manufacturing and distribution, allows batch to be traced
-regulation (EC No 2003) states any materials that may come into contact with food will not change food composition or endanger human health
how do quality assurance schemes ensure safe food production?
-improve food safety through quality checks and correct any failures in production line
-voluntary but manufactures will partake to improve reliability and authenticity of their product
-regular independent inspections
-use logos to indicate they have met these standards
-verified by UKAS- UK Accreditation Service
-standards of these schemes include high animal welfare, food safety and environment
-also follow FSA guidelines for extra improvement through monitoring pesticide residues, veterinary health and allow for traceability
-examples; Red Tractor independent UK scheme ensures food safety and animal welfare, Lion Eggs and RSPCA
how does food traceability ensure safe food production?
-food fraud increasing issue e.g. horsemeat scandal
-traceability involves tracing food under all stages of production, processing and distribution to protect public health
-compulsory for all food and feed businesses by EU General Food Law for Traceability 2002
-it is a risk management tool which allows products to be recalled if they are unsafe
-allow manufactures to identify the origin and destination of their products, they can then report this to relevant authorities
-details kept include batch number and volume of the product
-products like meat and fish require sector specific traceability for their origin to be identified
-GMOs- Genetically Modified Organisms requires special traceability rules to trace their GM content
-producer now tag their animals with details of their origin, slaughter and stamp them with a traceability code
why is having GMP beneficial for food businesses? (4 points)
-they are an efficient manufacturing practice to protect against food safety risks e.g. prevent mislabeling, cross contamination and adulteration
-employ competent staff who are trained in effective hygiene practices and documentation, clear and unambiguous instructions are given to ensure food safety
-all equipment must be effectively cleaned as a priority, documentation of this must be kept
-GMP also reduces complaints by ensuring high standards of hygiene and traceability
