Page 42 - CIJ April 2025- Digital Edition

HYGIENE

Outbreaks of foodborne illnesses,
chemical contamination and product recalls
can lead to severe health risks, financial

losses and irreparable damage to brand
reputation.”

Nilanjana Dey

Failure to adhere to HACCP sourcing from approved vendors, extending shelf life and ensuring
principles can have dire conducting rigorous raw material microbial safety.
consequences. “Outbreaks of checks, implementing regular Adherence to international
foodborne illnesses, chemical lab analysis and maintaining standards like FSSC 22000,
contamination and product recalls stringent temperature and hygiene GLOBALG.A.P, and Codex
can lead to severe health risks, controls. Usage of different crates, Alimentarius not only guarantees
financial losses and irreparable segregation of allergen & non product safety but also facilitates
damage to brand reputation.” allergen material at site and while access to global markets. In a
Chemical contamination receiving from vendor are crucial. nation striving for a cleaner and
(histamine/ammonia/ Effective sanitation practices, healthier future, the seafood
formaldehyde)-from vendor from personal hygiene to waste industry’s commitment to robust
process, antibiotics and pesticides management, are essential. HACCP systems and stringent
from agricultural practices, Contaminated feed and water hygiene standards is paramount.
cleaning agents stored in-house can expose fish to radioactive By prioritizing food safety, we can
and feed cleaning chemicals are substances. Furthermore, innovative ensure that India’s rich seafood
common pain points. packaging techniques like vacuum resources continue to nourish and
Case studies highlight the and modified atmosphere packaging prosper, contributing to a cleaner
system’s importance: a simple (MAP) play a crucial role in and healthier nation.
hand sanitization retraining
session preventing cross-
contamination, or meticulous
allergen control averting a major
health hazard. Allergen control
involves segregation, enhanced
cleaning and staff retraining
to prevent allergen cross-
contamination, leading to product
discard to protect consumer
health. These examples highlight
that HACCP is not just theoretical;
it is a practical, life-saving tool.
To navigate the evolving
challenges of microbial risks, the
seafood industry must adopt a
proactive approach. This includes
42 APRIL 2025•Clean India Journal•www.cleanindiajournal.com