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AuthorAbdessater, Marilyn
AuthorFayyad, Fady
AuthorMatta, Joseph
AuthorKaram, Layal
Available date2023-11-13T07:57:01Z
Publication Date2023-09-01
Publication NameHeliyon
Identifierhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19824
CitationAbdessater, M., Fayyad, F., Matta, J., & Karam, L. (2023). Assessment of prerequisite programs implementation at food packaging manufacturing companies and hygiene status of food packaging in a developing country: Cross-sectional study. Heliyon, 9(9).‏
ISSN24058440
URIhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=85169909984&origin=inward
URIhttp://hdl.handle.net/10576/49212
AbstractFood packaging has a critical role in all food types and along the food chain from product preservation to transportation, distribution, storage, retailing, and end-use. However, it can become a source of contamination and transfer of microorganisms to the packed food when its hygienic status is not well maintained. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Prerequisite programs (PRPs) implementation in 5 food packaging companies across Mount Lebanon through on-site inspections and to assess the compliance of contact surfaces, employee hands and packaging materials to microbiological specifications. Following on-site inspection, none of the companies achieved a full total score of 100% and scores ranged from 25 to 62%. Regarding the assessment of hygienic status of contact surfaces, non-conforming results (acceptable limit ≤0.6 log colony forming units (CFU)/cm2) were observed in 50% (5/10) of the surfaces for total viable count (TVC). For the employee hands, none of the hand swab samples (10/10) was conforming for TVC that was present in all samples above the acceptable limit. Highest and lowest reported values were 4.4 and 1.7 log CFU/hands respectively. For packaging samples collected during on-site inspections, TVC and yeasts and molds were detected in 20% (2/10) of the samples. However, the samples collected from the retail market, had higher contamination rates of 95% (19/20) and 65% (13/20) for TVC and yeasts and molds, respectively. As for Enterobacteriaceae, it was not detected in all tested contact surfaces, employees' hands, and packaging samples. PRPs assessment and related verification activities showed the need for companies to strengthen their hygienic programs and highlighted the importance of food safety management systems (FSMS) implementation not only in food companies but also in food packaging companies. Additionally, the effectiveness of PRPs implementation should be assessed on planned routine basis.
Languageen
PublisherElsevier Ltd
SubjectAcceptance criteria
Contact surface
Hand swab
On-site inspection
Packaging contamination
TitleAssessment of prerequisite programs implementation at food packaging manufacturing companies and hygiene status of food packaging in a developing country: Cross-sectional study
TypeArticle
Issue Number9
Volume Number9
dc.accessType Abstract Only


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