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Transcript:
Hello! Blake here from Tekta! Our question this week is, “What is BRCGS 4.4.8, and why does it matter?” BRCGS is an acronym for “Brand Reputation through Compliance, Global Standard”. This globally accepted standard lays out stringent hygiene requirements, as well as recommending best practice. Covering everything from raw material management to building & infrastructure standards, this document is a comprehensive manual for the safe production, handling and storage of food products.
Clause 4.4.8 of BRCGS refers to doorways and states the following:
Doors (both internal and external) shall be maintained in good condition. At a minimum:
- External doors and dock levellers shall be close fitting or adequately proofed
- External doors to open product areas shall not be opened during production periods, except in emergencies.
- Where external doors to enclosed product areas are opened, suitable precautions shall be taken to prevent pest ingress.
So why is it necessary for BRCGS to include clauses about doorways? Doors are critical to food safety for 2 main reasons:
Firstly (as the standard states) preventing pest ingress. There’s nothing quite as attractive as a food factory to rodents. They’re usually warm, well sheltered and offer a plentiful food supply! Compliant and well maintained doorways are critical for hygiene control and are one vital component in a food factory’s line of defence against pests.
Secondly, doors themselves can pose a risk to the safe production of food. Unless a doorway is simple to clean, and well maintained,it can be one area of the factory to harbour dirt, grime and pathogens. In a worst-case scenario, a damaged doorway could lead to foreign body contamination, if situated in an open product area of the factory.
So, there you have it, a brief overview of BRCGS clause 4.4.8 and why doorways, and door maintenance, is critical to food safety.
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