Low moisture foods are often associated with allergen recalls (chemical contamination) and there has been an increased number of recalls associated with microbial contamination of ready-to-eat low moisture foods.  While many of the allergen recalls are labeling related, using verified cleaning methods to prevent cross-contamination continues to be a preoccupation for the industry.  In addition, we will discuss whether the recalls associated with the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in low moisture foods could also affect Europe.  

During this symposium, the first presenter will discuss some of the challenges, faced by the industry, with biological and chemical contamination and commonly used technologies to mitigate them.  The second presenter will focus on lesser known technologies or alternative approaches using available technologies, such as dry steam, dry ice, etc., to clean and disinfection manufacturing equipment and provide examples that industry can relate to. Finally, the last presenter will focus on verification and validation of alternative technologies. And, for processor exporting to the USA, we will attempt to clarify the need to verify and/or validate cleaning and disinfection methods in the FSMA era and to reconcile what needs to be done to meet different global audit schemes.  We will provide examples and solutions that will bring new ideas and generate discussions with the attendees.

Presentations