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Pecan growers encouraged to take proactive approach to sanitation |
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By JULIET BRISKIN | Central Texas Edition |
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July 11, 2002 -- Pecan growers from across Texas gathered in Waco June 30-July 3, for the 81st Annual Texas Pecan Growers Association's Conference and Trade Show. Conference participants attended various educational programs including an update on regulations for selling cracked pecans. Elena Gamble, a registered sanitarian from the Texas Department of Health and Al Wagner, Extension food technologist, detailed what inspectors are looking for when they visit pecan manufacturing plants. According to Wagner, many producers are resistant to the idea of inspections when the pecans are only being cracked, not taken through the entire shelling process. "I do know of an industry, not in the state of Texas, that had a problem with salmonella," he explained. "This did not just affect the small area where this happened, but rather the entire industry." Wagner stated that pecan growers and manufacturers need to take a proactive approach to sanitation to prevent a foodborne illness outbreak in their industry. "We cannot afford to have a problem in the pecan industry," he said. "You cannot begin to imagine what an outbreak of salmonella or any other type of foodborne illness will do to your sales." Elena Gamble detailed current regulations and requirements for pecan manufacturing and what inspectors are looking for. "We want to make sure that when we perform these inspections that you all (pecan manufacturers) have done everything and taken every precautionary measure to put out a safe product," she explained. "It is our job to make sure that you get all the education and support that you need so that your operation meets all the guidelines." According to Gamble it is managements responsibility to take all the precautionary measures to ensure that the food is being protected. "They must protect against contamination," she said. "They must protect food contact surfaces and the packaging material from micro-organism, foreign substances and any other item that could render the product adulterated." Gamble explained that manufacturing staff or personnel is one of the first things inspectors look to for violations. "You need to make sure they are washing their hands, are wearing proper clothing and hair protection and are trained in sanitation procedures," she said. "Pecan's can become contaminated with E. coli if employees are not practicing proper handwashing techniques; this is very important." When applying any pesticides to the facility to combat insects or rodents, Gamble stated that the label directions must be followed. "The label is the law," she said. Gamble suggested having a written Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) available to all employees and posted at each of the handwashing stations. She explained that when an inspector comes out they will ask about the SOP for the operation. "They like to see it in writing," she said. During the question and answer session a question was raised regarding who falls under Texas Department of Health regulations. According to Gamble anyone that cracks pecans and charges money for the service falls under the TDH regulations and must sanitize the product. Those individuals that are cracking pecans for their neighbors and not charging a fee are not required to sanitize or follow any of the TDH regulations. Once money changes hands the person cracking the pecans is considered a manufacturer. For more information on TDH regulations and compliance visit www.tdh.state.tx.us |
