GMP's are Good Manufacturing Practices set forth by the FDA to ensure food practices are produced, packaged, stored and shipped in a clean, safe and wholesome manner. All employees are trained on cleaning procedures and follow GMP's both at the time of hire and during scheduled meetings throughout the year.
Some examples of the GMP's that our employees adhere to:
1. All employees must wash and sanitize their hands before work and from each absence from the workstation
2. Hair restraints (hairnets) are to be worn in all areas where food is being produced
3. All cleaning compounds, additives, chemicals, equipment lubricants and all food contact surfaces must be approved for use in food processing.
Klamath's Best Marketing has a HACCP plan already in place. This plan protects the processor, distributor and consumer, by identifying potential hazards, allowing us to monitor and control any hazards. This plan is reviewed annually, for compliance.
Some examples of our HACCP monitoring:
1. All finished products are run through a metal detector.
2. Metal detector is tested on an hourly basis.
3. Cooker/Chiller temperatures are monitered and maintained within specific limits to minimize microbiological growth.
4. Pre-loading inspections ensure that the product is not going to be contaminated during transit.
All equipment is inspected for cleanliness by the lab personnel, before start up. If additional cleaning is needed, it is completed before any start up. All equipment is cleaned after each use and sanitized, before running.
Klamath's Best Marketing has both an analytical and microbiological testing laboratory on site. This offers us the ability to test all product runs for Aerobic Plate Count, E. Coli, Coliform and Staph A. We are also able to monitor the line and equipment weekly for cleanliness with rapid cleaning validation swabs.
Every employee of Klamath's Best Marketing is responsible for inspection of plant and product. There are checklists in place for supervision. Our customers have and are welcome to come visit our facilities to perform their own audits. To round it out, our third party inspections have been contracted out with the USDA.
Through routine inspections of the facilities and employee training, a positive emphasis is maintained regarding basic sanitation, housekeeping, employee practices and personal cleanliness. Klamath's Best Marketing is committed to producing a safe product for the customer. We have over 20 years of combined experience in food processing and sanitation issues and participate in ongoing employee training and education.
© 2005 Tulelake Potato Distributors, Inc., all rights reserved