Prerequisite programmes on food safety – food manufacturing

Food safety requirements for organizations in the food chain are set out in the standard on food safety management (PNS ISO 22000). One such requirement is that organizations establish, implement and maintain prerequisite programmes (PRP) to assist in controlling food safety hazards.

Organizations involved in the manufacturing step of the food chain wishing to implement PRPs may now refer to a technical specification developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that has been adopted as a Philippine National Standard (PNS ISO/TS 22002-1:2012).

The standard specifies detailed requirements to be specifically considered in relation to PNS ISO 22000,

clause 7.2.3:

a. Construction and layout of buildings and associated utilities

b. Layout of premises, including workspace and employee facilities

c. Supplies of air, water, energy and other utilities

d. Supporting services, including waste and sewage disposal

e. Suitability of equipment and its accessibility for cleaning, maintenance and preventive maintenance

f. Management of purchased materials

g. Measures for prevention of cross-contamination

h. Cleaning and sanitizing

i. Pest control

j. Personal hygiene

In addition, the standard adds other aspects which are considered relevant to manufacturing operations such as on rework, product recall procedures, warehousing, product information and consumer awareness, and food defence, biovigilance and bioterrorism.

Copies of the standard can be availed from the BPS Standards Data Center.