Several Birko customers have asked whether we carry FDA-approved chemicals for use in federally inspected meat and poultry plants.
No, and neither does anyone else. With the advent of HACCP, the chemicals used in the plant are now the responsibility of the plant management. Command and control procedures are now replaced with performance standards. It becomes more important than ever to have an understanding of the guidelines for good chemical practice. You may rely on science-based documents to support the good manufacturing practice in your plant, or a letter of guarantee from your provider that specifies a product is appropriate for its purpose. Your provider must be an experienced company, like Birko, with the science and documentation to back that up.
You may continue with products in place or approved on the online NSF White Book™ Listing of proprietary substances and nonfood compounds. That strategy has a “grandfathering” safety net. Innovations in chemistry will not be available to those relying on the grandfathered products. Refer to 9 CFR Parts 416.1 through 416.17 for new rules on sanitation.
FSIS Directive 11,000.1 applies, and supercedes many prior regulations.
When selecting a chemical products supplier, keep in mind that Birko’s experience in food safety dates to 1953, pre-dating the implementation of USDA inspection. Contact one of our of HACCP-certified technical sales representatives today.
