Clauses 8: High-risk, high-care, and ambient high-care production risk zones
This is the eighth BRCGS Global Standard Food Safety Issue 8 to 9 briefing sheet and in this briefing sheet we are going to look at the main changes to Clause 8 High-risk, high-care, and ambient high-care production risk zones. To understand all the changes from issue 8 to 9 it is recommended you download the draft version of the standard issued on 6.12.2021 and read in conjunction with this briefing note.
We will also be issuing a briefing note when the standard is published on the 1st August comparing any amendments from the draft standard to the published standard.
The Briefing Note has been prepared by John Husband who is BRCGS Approved Principal Training Partner and has been delivering BRCGS training for totrain and on behalf of BRCGS for over 20 years.
Clause 7: High-risk, high-care, and ambient high-care production risk zones
| Clause | Clause subject | Details of main changes |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Statement of intent | Statement of intent title has changed to 8 Production risk zones – high-risk, high-care, and ambient high-care production risk zones.
Additional text clarifying that all the relevant requirements from sections 1–7 of the Standard must be fulfilled in addition to the requirements in this section. |
| 8.1.1 | Risk zones | Section has been removed and the following statement added:
The map of the site (see clause 4.3.2) now has a requirement to detail the location of the pathogen control step(s). |
| 8.1.3 | High care | The clause has been expanded to include the procedures for changeover from low risk to high-care need to be validated when validating processes for potential of cross contamination. |
| 8.2.3 | Removable walls | New requirement that requires where sites have removable walls there needs to be procedures covering:
– Removable walls are tight fitting – Use of removable walls is controlled – Movement of the wall is only completed by trained and authorised staff – Cleaning and reconditioning procedures are in place and completed prior to production. |
| 8.3 | Clause title | The clause title has been changed to: 8.3 Equipment and Maintenance in high-risk and high-care zones. |
| 8.3.3 | Portable equipment | The clause has been expanded to include battery charging equipment. |
| 8.5.1 | Cleaning procedure | Reference to items that need to be included in a cleaning procedure have been removed and a cross reference to clause 4.11.2 added detailing what needs to be in a cleaning procedure.
There is also a new requirement that Environmental cleaning procedures in high-care/high-risk areas shall consider the different microbiological risks associated with each production risk zone. |
| 8.5.3 | Cleaning equipment | Requirements for cleaning equipment in high-care and high-risk areas has been expanded to include:
– Hygienically designed and fit for purpose – Cleaned and stored in a hygienic manner to prevent contamination (for example storing equipment in designated locations, off the floor, when not in use). |
| 8.5.4 | CIP equipment | New clause covering:
Where the site uses CIP equipment, this will either be dedicated to the area or the CIP system shall be designed and controlled so that it does not present a risk of contamination to the high-risk/high-care area. |
E: john@totrain.co.uk
M: 0780 3136598
W: totrain.co.uk
