The Risk Analysis of Metallic Foreign Bodies in Food Products

Abstract

AbstractThe aim of this study was to elaborate and validate the risk analysis procedure of metallic foreign bodies’ occurrence in food. The enterprise selected for the study was a company processing dry foods. The procedure was based on Failure Mode and Effect Analysis. The implementation of the procedure allowed to find two production stages at risk of metallic particles' contamination, which were: reception of raw materials into the plant and packaging of finished products. The group of products at the highest risk of contamination was: buckwheat, prunes, brown cane sugar, brown flax and “tropical” muesli. The methods of risk management and the risk communication were established. The procedure may be a convenient tool for better food safety assurance and can be used in many food processing enterprises where the risk of metallic foreign bodies’ occurrence in finished products is high.Practical ApplicationsMetallic foreign bodies are common in some kinds of food. Occurrence of metallic foreign bodies significantly decreases food safety. The procedure elaborated and validated in this study is based on Failure Mode and Effect Analysis. The implementation of the procedure allows to find production stages at risk of metallic particles' contamination. The procedure may be a convenient tool for better food safety assurance and can be used in many food processing enterprises where the risk of metallic foreign bodies’ occurrence in finished products is high.