Safe pork handling is an essential part of ensuring farm and animal safety. Pig SAFE is based off HACCP. HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points. It relates to pork handling because it is a preventative approach to food safety. It involves identifying biological, chemical, and physical hazards throughout the production process. Biological risks include pathogens such as Salmonella. Chemical risks include risk posed items such as pesticides and antibiotics. Physical risks include physical objects that pose a safety risk such as needles. The HACCP program process involves the following steps:

1. Identify the biological, chemical, and physical risks
2. Develop standard operating procedures (SOP) outlining how the risks will be minimized or eliminated. [SOP: set of step-by-step instructions designed to help workers minimize specific hazards]
3. Implement SOP
4. Maintain records to evidence that SOP have been implemented
5. Identify areas for improvement

The Pig SAFE and Pig CARE Producer Manual have SOP templates that can be used to help producers create their own SOP.

Prior to introducing HACCP, the farm must ensure its Good Production Practices (GPP) are up to date. In pork handling, GPP include the conditions necessary to comply with both the Pig SAFE and Pig Care programs. Pig SAFE and Pig CARE contain 9 GPP.

It is important to understand the GPP because they are directly related to the Critical Control Points (CCP) that will need to be created for HACCP. CCP is a specific step or procedure where an action must be taken to manage risk. They are managed using SOP, which is why the process of setting SOP is essential for risk management.

There are 2 types of CCP related to pork handling: food safety and animal care. They are required under the Pig SAFE program.

SOP need to be established for all CCP to ensure safe pork handling. It is important to note that this is a very brief overview of risk management related to pork handling and that more detail can be found on government websites, which have been included below. Elite Agri Solutions offers in-person and online pork handling training. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information.

Sources:

https://www.cpc-ccp.com/file.aspx?id=b56101a2-8bc5-4b8a-b521-a36df2464009

https://www.cpc-ccp.com/food-safety