SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the current Covid-19 pandemic, has proven to be highly transmissible through the respiratory tract. There is no evidence of transmission through food, but there is a possibility of transmission through packaging materials and work surfaces in the food industry. Therefore, not only must we take precautions to prevent human-to-human transmission, we must also put in place measures to prevent the transfer of the virus from people to surfaces, from people to packaging materials, from surfaces to packaging materials and vice versa.
All companies are required to draw up a CONTINGENCY PLAN to control these transmission routes. As part of this plan, in order to reduce the risk of transmission through contaminated surfaces and packaging materials, companies have to apply a CLEANING AND DISINFECTION PROTOCOL that is effective and suitable for their processes and facilities. Crucially, this protocol must be EFFECTIVE against SARS-CoV-2. But the products used, surfaces to be cleaned, cleaning frequency, analytical verification system established in accordance with the own-check system (e.g. HACCP) and good handling practices may not be sufficiently effective against this virus.
CALITEC is a company that specialises in the implementation of own-check systems to guarantee food safety in primary production and the food industry. We currently offer clients the possibility of implementing a SARS-CoV-2 contingency plan and of VALIDATING the CLEANING AND DISINFECTION PROTOCOL in place at their company to confirm that it is adequate and effective at reducing the risk of transmission of the virus through contact with contaminated surfaces. This validation is performed by testing surfaces for the SARS-CoV-2 virus using RT-PCR tests. Among other benefits, the VALIDATION of clients’ cleaning protocols and implementation of the contingency plan boost customer and employee confidence and protect the health of consumers and anyone entering the facilities.