SQF Checklist: The SQF Food Safety Code for Primary Production - Edition 8

6.1.1.3 A risk assessment shall be conducted to evaluate and document the risk to products associated with prior land use, adjacent land use, and other environmental factors including structures and equipment. Consideration shall be given to the following:

• History of land use;

• Topography;

• Adjacent land use;

• Soil permeability; and

• Other factors that may impact on the ability to supply safe products.

6.2.7.2 The pest prevention program shall:

• Describe the methods and responsibility for the development, implementation and maintenance of the pest prevention program;

• Identify the target pests for each pesticide application;

• Outline the methods used to prevent pest problems;

• Outline the methods used to eliminate pests when found;

• Outline the frequency with which pest status is to be checked;

• Include on a site map the identification, location, number and type of traps and bait stations set;

• List the chemicals used (they are required to be approved by the relevant authority and their Safety Data Sheets (SDS) made available);

• Outline the methods to make employees aware of the bait control program and the measures to take when they come into contact with a bait station and;

• Outline the requirements for employee awareness and training in the use of pest and vermin control chemicals and baits.

6.2.9.1 The methods and responsibility for the cleaning of vessels, containers, fish/shellfish contact equipment, animal health equipment, and sanitary facilities shall be documented and implemented. Consideration shall be given to:

• What is to be cleaned;

• How it is to be cleaned;

• When it is to be cleaned;

• Who is responsible for the cleaning; and

• Who is responsible for the evaluation of the cleaning.

6.3.2.1 Toilet facilities shall be provided and designed, constructed and located in a manner that minimizes the potential risk for product contamination.

• Toilets shall cater for the maximum number of employees and be constructed so that they can be easily cleaned and maintained;

• Hand wash basins with clean/potable water, hand soap, disposable towels or effective hand drying device, waste bins and a tank that captures used hand wash water for disposal(if not connected to a drain) shall be provided inside or adjacent to toilet facilities;

• Signage in appropriate languages shall be provided adjacent to hand wash basins instructing people to wash their hands after each toilet visit;

• Racks for protective clothing used by employees shall be provided;

• Toilets shall be located so as to provide easy access for workers; and

• Toilet and wash stations shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.

6.3.2.2 Personnel shall have clean hands and hands shall be washed by all personnel:

• Before handling living stock, wild catch or feed;

• After each visit to a toilet;

• After using a handkerchief;

• After handling dirty or contaminated material; and

• After smoking, eating or drinking.

6.4.1.1 Appropriate personnel practices shall be employed by employees working in feed handling, living stock or wild catch areas which include:

• Aprons and gloves shall be kept clean;

• Aprons and gloves shall not be left on product, work surfaces, equipment or packaging material but hung on apron and glove racks provided;

• All product and packaging material shall be kept off the ground and the floor of the vessel , holding area or transport vehicle; and

• Waste shall be contained in the bins identified for this purpose. Waste shall not come in contact with product and be removed on a regular basis and not left to accumulate.

6.4.2.3A written procedure regarding the handling of living stock shall be implemented and maintained. The procedure shall assure that employees handling living stock ensure that:

• Living stock has an adequate source of clean feed and uncontaminated water at all times;

• Measures to inspect for physical hazards and procedures to remove physical hazards are in place;

• Diseased or medicated stock is segregated from healthy living stock; and

• Personnel dealing with or treating diseased stock do not come into contact with healthy stock.

6.5.3.1 Water used for production of living stock, mixing feeds, cleaning feed and veterinary equipment, and production of ice shall comply with potable water microbiological and chemical standards in the country of production. Where necessary, water used for aquaculture shall also be tested for heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The water management plan shall include the following:

• Risk assessment (hazard analysis);

• Preventive controls;

• Monitoring and verification procedures;

• Corrective actions; and

• Documentation.

6.5.5.1 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) shall be developed for all uses of water during wild catch, cleaning, and ice production. The SOPs shall address:

• The microbial quality of water or ice that directly contacts the product, is used on product contact surfaces;

• The treatment of re-circulated water, if used;

• The condition and maintenance of water-delivery system; and

• The control of wash water temperature.

6.6.2.3 Chemical storage rooms or sheds shall:

• Be compliant with national and local legislation and designed such that there is no cross-contamination between chemicals;

• Be ventilated to the exterior;

• Be provided with appropriate signage indicating the area is a hazardous storage area;

• Be secure and lockable to restrict access only to those personnel with formal training in the handling and use of chemicals;

• Have instructions on the safe handling of hazardous chemicals readily accessible to employees;

• Be equipped with a detailed and up-to-date inventory of all chemicals contained in the storage facility;

• Have suitable first aid equipment and protective clothing available in the storage area;

• Have emergency shower and/or wash facilities available in the event of an accidental spill;

• In the event of a hazardous spill, be designed such that spillage and drainage from the area is contained; and

• Be equipped with spillage kits and cleaning equipment.

6.7.2.3 The person making decisions on administering a vaccination medication shall:

• Demonstrate knowledge of, and access to, information regarding medications and the maximum residue levels allowable in destination markets;

• Demonstrate competence and knowledge of the various methods of administering medications and compliance with withholding periods; and

• Maintain a current medication register and keep records of all medication purchased and used.

6.7.3.2 The methods and responsibilities to maintain the safety and integrity of all aquaculture feed, whether purchased, or produced on site shall be documented and implemented (i.e. feed management plan). Aquaculture feed shall meet regulatory requirements and be managed to minimize the potential for microbiological or chemical contamination. The feed management plan shall include the following:

• Risk assessment (hazard analysis);

• Preventive controls;

• Monitoring and verification procedures;

• Corrective actions; and

• Documentation.

6.7.4.2 The site shall dispose of chemical waste and empty containers in accordance with regulatory requirements and ensure that:

• Empty chemical containers are not re-used;

• Empty containers are labeled, isolated and securely stored while awaiting collection; and

• Unused and obsolete chemicals are stored under secure conditions while waiting authorized disposal by an approved vendor.