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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Egg and Poultry Production Safety Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #391893
Research Project: Reducing Pathogen Contamination Risks and Improving Quality Attributes of Eggs and Egg Products through Housing System Management and Egg Handling Practices

Location: Egg and Poultry Production Safety Research Unit

Title: Understanding egg processing storage areas sanitation

Author
item Jones, Deana
item HENDRICKS, JEFFREY - Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS, USDA)
item WARNOCK, JED - Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS, USDA)
item KARCHER, DARRIN - Purdue University

Submitted to: Extension Publications
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/3/2022
Publication Date: 1/27/2022
Citation: Jones, D.R., Hendricks, J., Warnock, J., Karcher, D. 2022. Understanding egg processing storage areas sanitation. Purdue Extension Publications. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxUjb6qpRLs&list=PLtXSf1tu3Jd-.

Interpretive Summary: Before shell egg packers may use AMS voluntary shell egg grading services, a formal facility review must be conducted and approved. The review ensures that a building must be constructed in a sound and sanitary manner that is readily cleanable. For a full list of AMS Plant Survey requirements, contact the local AMS supervisor. In this module, the storage areas discussed will include: chemical storage, dry storage, packaging and packing materials. On the USDA sanitation report, storage areas are non-critical with the exception of the packing and packaging materials, which are critical. However, egregious conditions that may impact product quality or wholesomeness can be assessed as critical at USDA’s discretion. Reoccurring unsatisfactory non-critical findings may also be elevated to critical. Critical areas are defined as areas with potential surface contact with eggs. Non-critical areas are defined as areas that are not likely to imminently affect product quality. Non-critical does not mean it is not important. Non-critical unsatisfactory conditions should be addressed after the processing line has been started. Critical findings in storage areas must be addressed promptly. Unsatisfactory findings may not prevent operation of the processing line, but must be corrected before the space or the materials are used.

Technical Abstract: There are many styles and configurations for storage areas in an egg processing facility. It is important to familiarize yourself with each facility to ensure storage areas are effectively evaluated each day. Keep in mind, in any egg facility, egg contact areas such as packaging and packaging materials are critical.