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Low Acid Canned Food Manufacturers Part 1 - Adminstrative Procedures/Scheduled Processes

Guide to Inspections of Low Acid Canned Food Manufacturers - 1

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GUIDE TO INSPECTIONS OF LOW ACID CANNED FOOD MANUFACTURERS Part 1-ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES/SCHEDULED PROCESSES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reprocessing
Pg 13
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forms
Pg 16
 

INTRODUCTION

The Guide to Inspection of Low-Acid Canned Foods consists of three separate documents; Part 1 covers Administrative Procedures\Scheduled Processes; Part 2 covers Manufacturing Procedures; and Part 3 covers Container/Closures (Part 2 and 3 of the manual are still in process, and will issue at a later date). In addition to providing guidance for inspections of low acid canned foods (LACF) manufacturers, the guide also contains background and general information on LACF regulations and procedures.

In addition to the information and instructions provided in IOM Subchapter 530, 21CFR 108 and 113, and applicable compliance programs, direct attention to areas covered in this Guide when covering LACF manufacturers. Another good reference is the Food Processors Institute 'Canned Foods' manual, which should be available from anyone in your district who has attended a Better Process Control School.

At the current time DFI has available, for loan only, the following NFPA manuals:

  1. Thermal Processes For Low-Acid Foods in Metal Containers (NFPA Bulletin 26-L)
  2. Thermal Processes For Low-Acid Foods in Glass Containers (Bulletin 30-L)
  3. Flexible Package Integrity Bulletin (Bulletin 41-L)
  4. Guidelines for Thermal Process Development for Foods Packaged in Flexible Containers
  5. Continuous Rotary Sterilizers-Design and Operation (Bulletin 44-L)
  6. Automatic Control Guidelines For Aseptic System Manufacturers and Companies Using Aseptic Processing and Packaging for Preserving Foods (Bulletin 43L)

THERMALLY PROCESSED LOW-ACID FOODS PACKAGED IN HERMETICALLY SEALED CONTAINERS 21 CFR 113

Low-acid foods are defined as "any foods, other than alcoholic beverages, with a finished equilibrium pH value greater than 4.6 and a water activity greater than 0.85."

The following foods are not considered low-acid foods. Therefore, processors of these foods do not

1Note: This document is reference materials for investigators and other FDA personnel. The document does not bind FDA, and does not confer any rights, privileges, benefits, or immunities for or on any person(s).

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