Since the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) has been in effect, food and beverage processors have shifted production focus to preventative risk management in everyday operations. Pest management is one area of the law that isn’t explicitly outlined but still plays a significant role in sanitation efforts.
What used to be pest control and mitigation suggestions are now a requirement for processors. So how do pest management professionals (PMPs) work with processors to ensure integrated pest management (IPM) plans are compliant? We will take a look at how strategies need to align with FSMA.
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Create and Review Written Plans
As a pest management professional, either working for a food and beverage processor or as a third-party pest control vendor, it’s crucial that you have a documented preventive pest management plan in place for all facilities being managed. These FSMA standards are a legal requirement.
A comprehensive IPM plan must cover areas such as sanitation, facility upkeep, pest management protocols, and approaches for tending to unique pest risks at each facility.
While having a plan is the processor's responsibility, third-party PMPs must know the job scope and expectations once they are signed on as a vendor. They also need to have a seat at the table with facility management for input on plan improvements.
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Doing More Than Checking Traps
At the heart of it all, an IPM plan is all about risk mitigation. While checking traps is important (such as the USDA- and FDA-rated Kness Pro-Ketch and Pro-Ketch Junior Mousetraps), focusing only on eliminating pests is not a good enough approach under FSMA. When conducting pest inspections on-site or responding to pest-related duties, PMPs need to take a comprehensive look at the facility to see where present and potential vulnerabilities exist. Try to find and note any areas where pest activity could happen or has occurred.
FSMA requires documentation of risk assessments, known pest issues, and detailed steps for addressing current or potential problems.
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Take Action For Ongoing or Potential Problems
Once you know what the current and potential pest pressures are for your facility, it’s time to follow through with prevention measures. Under FSMA, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now requires facilities to engage in efforts to actively improve pest mitigation. The pressure is on to take a proactive stance, as the FDA will take tough action on any food and beverage processing facility that experiences an instance where the product is infested or contaminated by pests.
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Keep Detailed Documentation
Having up-to-date documentation with all on-site pest management work is not only great information to have for gauging management effectiveness, but it’s also a regulatory requirement. When FDA inspectors show up for a facility review, you will need to have all records of your IPM activities ready to go for them in an organized way that presents the information clearly and concisely.
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Train Facility Staff On Your IPM Plan
One of the best ways to ensure your IPM plan succeeds is by engaging in internal recruiting. Those who work in the facility can help be your eyes and ears in identifying pest problems, allowing you to be proactive. To do this, work with facility management to continually train staff on pest control plans, identification, and mitigation.
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Evaluate Plan Effectiveness
Both processors and pest management professionals need to come together to evaluate the effectiveness of the current IPM plan. Each side has its expertise to help ensure progress in risk mitigation can be made. Those involved in food and beverage processing have specific knowledge of food safety and product quality, while PMPs have a deep understanding of pest control. Reviewing plans together can make achieving compliance with FSMA requirements easier.