Updated E.coli cleaning and sanitation guide now available

The draft of a new guide for controlling and preventing cross contamination of, and by, E.coli has just been released in the UK by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

It is intended to specifically help those businesses that have both raw and ready to eat (RTE) foods in the same space. It has been well recognised that this situation has a great likelihood of cross contamination causing potentially food poisoning issues.

The guidance document shows clearly that having raw foods and RTE in the same space without specific cleaning protocols has a significant risk of cross contamination. The Guide then describes the recommended cleaning and sanitation methods that will address this situation.

The new Guide is less prescriptive than it’s previous version, which gives each business the opportunity to establish methods that meet the requirements. The disadvantage of it being less prescriptive is that the Guide is open to interpretation and potential legal argument in the event of a perceived breach of the law.

The draft is up for review until 29 August.

For more information here is the FSA link for the Guide –  http://www.food.gov.uk/business-industry/guidancenotes/hygguid/ecoliguide#.U84BJ8KKDIU

Written by Rachelle Williams, The Green Food Safety Coach.