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Personnel hygiene in pet food production

High hygiene standards apply to food in order to protect consumers. Buyers of pet food usually have a strong emotional attachment to animals such as dogs and cats, so the hygiene requirements for pet food production are no less important. What applies to food for humans therefore also applies to pet food – it must be produced under hygienic conditions. Personnel and facility hygiene must always be observed. It is no coincidence that the seven basic principles of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) also apply to production.

This means that clean and hygienic production conditions are required from a legal and regulatory perspective. On the other hand, a high level of personnel hygiene is essential to ensure the health and safety of the animals that consume this feed. This is because contamination by bacteria, moulds or chemical residues can have serious consequences for animal health. In addition, manufacturers face risks such as recalls or reputational damage if product hygiene is poor, which can result in considerable financial losses and damage to the brand image.

Tiernahrungsherstellung

Humans as a risk for the animal

In the production of pet food, the greatest risk comes from human contamination. Germs and bacteria are introduced into production via hands, shoes or mouths. This is why the legislator pays particular attention to personnel hygiene. The basic hygiene requirements for the production and placing on the market of food are regulated in EU Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs and in Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004 with specific hygiene requirements for food of animal origin. Most animal foodstuffs are covered by these regulations as they contain meat, fish and other animal ingredients.

5
important
factors
of
personnel hygiene
1. hand hygiene:

Wash hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water. Disinfect hands before and after contact with food or after using the toilet.

2. protective clothing:

Wearing clean and suitable protective clothing such as gowns, gloves, hairnets and face masks is essential to avoid contamination of the products.

3. Personal hygiene:

Good personal hygiene, including daily showering and well-groomed fingernails and hair, is necessary to minimise the risk of spreading germs.

4. state of health:

Employees with infectious diseases, open wounds or skin infections should not work in production areas to prevent the spread of pathogens.

5. behaviour in the production area:

Eating, drinking and smoking are prohibited in production.

Personnel hygiene solutions for pet food production

How is personnel hygiene ensured in food production? Personnel hygiene consists of a triad of individual personnel hygiene concepts, training and technical equipment. The following technical hygiene equipment helps to ensure personnel hygiene:

Training and awareness raising

Regular staff training is an important part of personnel hygiene. This training should cover all relevant aspects of hygiene and ensure that staff understand the importance and techniques of hygiene and apply them consistently.

Hygienic production of pet food

Personnel hygiene in pet food production is a complex issue. However, with the right measures and the right hygiene solutions, you can ensure that your products fulfil the highest quality and hygiene standards. The PHT Group is at your side as a competent partner. Our extensive product range and expertise will help you to organise your feed production hygienically and efficiently.

Professionelle Hygieneschleuse von PHT sichert die Personalhygiene

Contact us to find out more about our solutions and to develop a pet-friendly hygiene concept for your company together.

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