FDA Inspections of Food Plants – Part 2 Inspectional Issues

 - Hand sanitizing stations in the manufacturing area
 - Rubbish and offal disposal
Part 1 considered the inspection process. We now 
turn to the specifics of what FDA investigators 
generally focus on during a plant inspection.110.40 Equipment and utensils
  
Because there are no record keeping requirement- Condition before processing begins
in the umbrella CGMPs (21 CFR 110), investigators- Cleaning of filtering systems
must rely entirely on can be observed directly or- Sanitary condition of equipment
deduced from samples collected during an- Prior history and cleaning procedures for leased
inspection, unless they demand records under theequipment
Bioterrorism Act of 2002 ( In the case of acidified- Residue on conveyor belts
and low-acid foods, they can supplement and- Cleaning, sanitizing, and storage of cleaning
support their observations from an examinationimplements
of  the required records. In all cases, however,- Effectiveness of cleaning practices
investigators are well trained to look, listen, and- Placement of mercury thermometers and light
draw conclusions from what they see and hear.bulbs
The following lists those things for which- Monitoring and replacement of UV lights
investigators typically "look and listen". For more- Nature, frequency, supervision, and
information, the reader is referred to the FDAeffectiveness of sanitizing practices
Investigations Operations Manual, Subchapter 5.4 ( 
The issues that follow are keyed to the relevant 
sections of the umbrella CGMPs.110.80(a) Raw materials
  
110.10 Personnel- Storage – pattern, rotation, housekeeping,
 accessibility for inspection, evidence of infestation
- Identity of owners, partners or officers, and- Handling procedures
management officials/employees involved in the- Inspection practices
inspection- Use of “Food Chemicals Codex” to
- Attitude and actions of employees dischargingassure the use of only food-grade materials
their duties 
- Employee dress and cleanliness 
- Health of food-contact employees110.80(b) Manufacturing processes
- Unsanitary employee practices 
- What employees tell the inspector- Whether and how hands and equipment are
- Employee education and trainingsanitized after contact with unsanitized surfaces
 - Methods for re-using scrap materials – e.g.
 soaking or hand kneading – to protect from
110.20 Plant and groundsmicrobial contamination
 - Ingredient handling -- contamination with filth;
- Environmental factors that may contribute toeffectiveness of cleaning and inspection operations
rodent, bird, insect, or other sanitation problemsprior to or while adding to the process; lags during
- Design and condition of buildingsthe process
- Toilet facilities- Food additives -- legal; restricted to legal
- Company attitude toward maintenanceamount; packaging materials and waxes or
- Waste and garbage disposalchemicals applied to fresh fruit excluded during
- Methods for preventing waste materials fromroutine inspections
being mingled with raw materials- Color additives
- Disposition of waste containing pesticide residues- Quality control -- inspection system; laboratory
- Removal of moisture (condensate) and oil fromtests both on site and contracted; manufacturing
central compressed air supplycode system
- Undrained loops in central compressed air supply 
- Standing water 
 110.93 Warehousing and distribution
  
110.35 and .37  Sanitary operations, facilities, and- How well the food is protected during storage
controlsand transportation
  
- Condition and appearance of the plant 
- Cleaning and sanitizing materials and their storageDaily meetings with the investigator provide an
- Pest control program and effectivenessopportunity to learn early in the inspection if the
- Cleaning sanitizing of food contact surfacesinvestigator has observed any CGMP deviations.
- Adequacy of the water supply and plumbingAny deviations that can be corrected before the
- Floor drainageinspection is finished should be and the correction
- Sewage disposalshown to the investigator (more about this in Part
- Hand-washing and toilet facilities3.