The HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) system is mandatory for all food operators in the EU under EC Regulation 852/2004. Packaging is one of the most critical points in the chain: a defective pack can nullify all previous controls.
Critical Control Points (CCPs) in packaging
In risk analysis of the packaging process, the most common CCPs are product temperature at the time of packaging, pack integrity (biological risk from vacuum loss) and contamination by foreign bodies (physical risk).
- CCP 1 — Temperature: product at < +4°C before and during packaging
- CCP 2 — Pack integrity: residual vacuum and seal verification
- CCP 3 — Physical contaminants: in-line metal detector or X-ray
- CCP 4 — Traceability: batch and date on every pack
- CCP 5 — Machine hygiene: documented sanitation every shift
Mandatory HACCP documentation
The HACCP plan must be documented and updated. For packaging, minimum mandatory records include: machine sanitation forms, product temperature logs, measuring instrument calibration records and non-conformity reports.
- Written HACCP plan, updated annually
- Machine sanitation log: date, operator, product used
- Temperature log: minimum 2 readings/shift per department
- Instrument calibration: scales, thermometers, O₂ meters
- Non-conformity log: defective packs, corrective actions
How EMA Pack machines support HACCP
Machines designed according to EHEDG principles facilitate HACCP application: smooth surfaces without stagnation points clean in 5-10 minutes, the PLC logs all parameters of every cycle (seal temperature, vacuum level, times) creating automatic process traceability.
- EHEDG design: no accumulation zones, complete drainage
- AISI 304/316L steel: resistant to detergents and sanitisers
- PLC with automatic log: every cycle recorded with timestamp
- Process alarms: automatic notification of temperature or vacuum anomalies
Are your machines HACCP compliant?
Contact us for a technical check of the hygienic compliance of your packaging machines.
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