Food Safety Solutions for Carriers, Brokers & Shippers | APRIL 2017

Making Food Transport Compliance Simple

Your Food Transportation Compliance News & Updates!

By effectively implementing the Iron Apple program, you will reduce the risks associated with transporting food which is supported by documentation and verification.

Decoding FSMA & Food Transport Compliance:
Learn With Lindsay!

FSMA SANITARY RULE REQUIREMENT:

> Is it necessary to have our washout facilities test and prove the water being used to clean trailers meets standard potable water requirements?

RESPONSE FROM LINDSAY:

> When implementing a HACCP program, facilities need to develop and implement prerequisite programs to assist in controlling the chances of introducing food safety hazards to food products through the work environment and/or operational practices.

The Iron Apple Trucking Food Safety Program is no exception- we have built in prerequisite programs and ask that water used for sanitation purposes meet potable standards in terms of microbiological quality guidelines. In other words, you don’t want to be introducing any more hazards (i.e viruses & parasites) to a trailer that will be carrying food products. Unfortunately, wash water that cannot be proven potable is at risk of introducing more hazards. Total coliforms should always be tested whether it is water coming from a treatment plant, in a storage/distribution system or ground water.

The new FSMA requirements are all about prevention and trying to mitigate the chances of problems arising. That’s what a HACCP based, certified system does. In order for a systematic system to work, there needs to be certain foundations and pre-requisites put into place – and making sure a facility working with food has water that is clean and free of microbiological contaminants is one of the factors. We know Iron Apple customers want to go above and beyond when it comes to food safety, which is why you chose a HACCP based system rather than “just meeting” the new Sanitary Transportation requirements.

If a carrier is using a third party wash out facility to clean their trailer while on the road, the same sanitation standards apply. Therefore, third-party wash out facilities should be able to prove to their customers they are using clean, potable water to clean trailers carrying food.

Testing microbiological guidelines in the potable water standard is not a significant financial burden as each trucking facility and wash out facility would only need to test their wash water on a yearly basis (bi-annually if on a well). We actually see it as more of a burden if companies choose to ignore these factors- with sanitation now being required to have documentation, if problems were to arise, the FDA could potentially trace it back to the wash out and examine the procedures and products used.

Schedule a free consultation with Lindsay to learn more.

Lindsay Glass

Food Safety Training & Implementation Manager at Iron Apple International

In her previous role, Lindsay spent 6 years as a Food Processing Inspector for the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency). She has a strong knowledge of Inspection Acts & Regulations, FSEP (Food Safety Enhancement Program) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) Systems.

Sanitary Transport Driver Training Module Now Available!

This module is specifically tailored to drivers for the safe handling of food during transport. We go into more detail in the areas that drivers see on a day to day basis, such as loading / unloading, temperature readings, maintenance and hygiene.

View Full Training Program!

Get Your Drivers Certified in less than 30 Minutes!

Iron Apple & UFSTP to Collaborate on FSMA Compliance Training and Solutions for Carriers & Brokers

Iron Apple & UFSTP

Firms to cooperate on and promote services to help carriers navigate the compliance and competitive challenges of the FDA food safety transportation rule

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA AND HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA – TransComply, manager of the Uniform Food Safety Transportation Protocol (UFSTP) program, and Iron Apple, a leading supplier of food safety compliance solutions for food transport, have agreed to cooperate to provide compliance training and solutions that help motor carriers and brokers comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food (STF) rule and promote that compliance to the shipping community. Many shippers and brokers are insisting that all carriers regardless of size provide evidence that they comply with the minimum standards.

Under the companies’ agreement, TransComply and Iron Apple will consult on the development of complementary services to carriers and brokers that transport perishable food regulated by FSMA. In addition, the UFSTP program will inform program applicants and prospects regarding Iron Apple’s solutions to help carriers comply with the various requirements of the FDA rule related to training; record keeping; equipment and operational management; trailer cleanliness; and temperature control. Iron Apple also offers a third-party verification and audit solution for carriers.

Full Story Here.

Looking for a FSMA or HACCP Compliant Solution for Your Company?

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