TRANSPORTATION (Farm Gate to Processing Facility)

1. TRANSPORTATION (Farm Gate to Processing Facility)

2. Objectives • To protect harvested material from potential sources of contamination during transportation • To protect harvested material from damage likely to render food unsuitable for consumption. • To provide an environment which limits growth of pathogenic or spoilage microorganisms and the production of toxins.

3. Risks during Transport • Poor transportation unit design and construction • Inadequate preventive maintenance for transportation units (or storage facilities used during transport), resulting in roof leaks, gaps in doors, and dripping condensation or ice accumulations.

4. Risks…… • Improper management of transportation units • Improper packing of transportation units – air circulation

5. Risks…… • Lack of employee training of food safety and/or security • Poor employee hygiene

6. Risks…… • Improper refrigeration or temperature control of transportation unit

7. Risks…… • Improper loading practices, conditions, or equipment • Improper unloading practices

8. Risks…… • Poor pest control in transportation units (or storage facilities used during transport)

9. Requirements • Design and construction • Clean and/or disinfect • Separate spices from non-food items • Maintain temperature • Verification of temperature • Prevent contamination • Pest assessment

10. Verification • Inspection of vehicle • Program describing effective cleaning and sanitation procedures • Restrain transportation of non-food items • Loading/unloading • Design and construction of vehicles • Monitor pest control devices to ensure that they are in good repair and in working order

11. Vehicle qualification and maintenance log

12. Pest control log- Physical control (traps, glue traps) and Chemical control

13. Trailer/Container Inspection • A complete inspection of the trailer or container should be made before loading • Be aware of bad smells and visible filth

14. Maintain - Cleaning log

15. SANITATION DURING TRANSPORTATION FROM THE FIELD • Workers loading and transporting produce practice good personal hygiene. • Harvested produce is loaded and stored in such a way that physical damage is minimized, risk of contamination during transport is reduced, and air is allowed to circulate. • Vehicles used to transport spices to the processing facilities are well maintained and cleaned. • Vehicles used to transport produce are not used to transport animals or animal products.

16. Sanitation • Keep a detailed record of: • Previous loads hauled by the equipment • Cleaning and sanitizing procedures for the equipment • Users should check these records before loading.

17. Maintain - Sanitation log

18. Considerations • Trailer or Container Should be Dry and properly cleaned • If refrigerated, Refrigeration Units Should be Functioning Properly • Temperature Monitoring Devices Should be Used

19. Maintain - Temperature log book

20. Temperature • Increase in temperature may degrade naturally occurring plant compounds and can greatly affect the quality of the Product • May increase bacterial growth

21. Consideration • Pre-cool the transport vehicle before loading the harvest • Maintain the cold chain throughout the transportation time • Do not overload the vehicle – allow sufficient air circulation

22. Use proper loading/unloading practice to protect harvested material from damage

23. Summary • Spice products should be stored and transported under conditions that maintain the integrity of the container and the product within it • Carriers should be clean, dry, weatherproof, free from any kind of contamination • During loading and unloading, protect harvested material from damage likely to render product unsuitable for consumption • Maintain appropriate temperature and air circulation of transportation vehicle • Vehicles used to transport produce should not be used to transport animals or animal products to avoid cross contamination. • Record keeping-Maintain qualification, maintenance, cleaning, sanitation and temperature record of transportation vehicles.