MS 1514-2009
MS 1514-2009
MS 1514-2009
MALAYSIAN
STANDARD
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ICS: 67.020
Descriptors: GMP, food chain, design and facilities, control of operation, maintenance, cleaning,
sanitation, personal hygiene, transportation, distribution, product information, training,
internal inspection, management review
© Copyright 2009
DEPARTMENT OF STANDARDS MALAYSIA
DEVELOPMENT OF MALAYSIAN STANDARDS
the public, protecting the consumers, facilitating domestic and international trade and
furthering international cooperation in relation to standards and standardisation.
http://www.standardsmalaysia.gov.my http://www.sirim.my
E-mail: central@standardsmalaysia.gov.my
MS 1514:2009
CONTENTS
Page
Committee representation..................................................................................................... ii
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0 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1
1 Scope ....................................................................................................................... 2
2 Normative references............................................................................................... 2
3 Definitions ................................................................................................................ 3
9 Product information.................................................................................................. 24
10 Training .................................................................................................................... 24
11 Internal inspection.................................................................................................... 25
12 Management review................................................................................................. 26
Annexes
B Related standards.................................................................................................... 31
Bibliography .......................................................................................................................... 32
Committee representation
The Industry Standards Committee on Food and Food Products (ISC U) under whose authority this Malaysian
Standard was developed, comprises representatives from the following organisations:
The Technical Committee on Food Safety System which developed this Malaysian Standard consists of
representatives from the following organisations:
Department of Fishery
FOREWORD
This Malaysian Standard was developed by the Technical Committee on Food Safety System
under the authority of the Industry Standards Committee on Food and Food Products.
This Malaysian Standard is the first revision of MS 1514, General principles of food hygiene.
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a) the title has been changed to “Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for food”;
b) amendment on the scope, i.e. food chain coverage was amended “from primary
production to the final consumer” to “incoming materials to the final consumer”;
e) expansion of subclause on waste management which now included solid waste and liquid
waste;
Compliance with a Malaysian Standard does not of itself confer immunity from legal
obligations.
0 Introduction
0.1 Objectives
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a) identify the essential principles of food hygiene applicable within the food establishment,
including incoming materials through to the customer, to achieve the goal of ensuring
that food is safe and suitable for human consumption;
c) provide a guidance for specific codes which may be needed for sectors of the food chain;
processes; or commodities; to amplify the hygiene requirements specific to those areas;
and
d) recommend an approach towards preparation for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control
Point (HACCP) implementation.
0.2.1 Governments can consider the contents of this standard and decide how best they
should encourage the implementation of these general principles to:
a) protect consumers adequately from illness or injury caused by food; policies need to
consider the vulnerability of the population or of different groups within the population;
0.2.2 Industry should apply the hygienic practices set out in this standard to:
b) ensure that consumers have clear and easily-understood information, by way of labelling
and other appropriate means, to enable them to protect their food from contamination and
growth/survival of foodborne pathogens by storing, handling and preparing it correctly;
and
0.2.3 Consumers should recognise their role by following instructions and applying
appropriate food hygiene measures.
0.3 General
People have the right to expect the food they eat to be safe and suitable for consumption.
Foodborne illness and foodborne injury are at best unpleasant; at worst, they can be fatal. But
there are also other consequences. Outbreaks of foodborne illness can damage trade and
tourism, and lead to loss of earnings, unemployment and litigation. Food spoilage is wasteful,
costly and can adversely affect trade and consumer confidence.
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International food trade and foreign travel are increasing, bringing important social and
economic benefits. But this also makes the spread of illness around the world easier. Eating
habits too, have undergone major change in many countries over the last two decades and
new food production, preparation and distribution techniques have developed to reflect these.
Effective hygiene control, therefore, is vital to avoid the adverse human health and economic
consequences of foodborne illness, foodborne injury, and food spoilage. Everyone, including
farmers and growers, manufacturers and processors, food handlers and consumers, has a
responsibility to assure that food is safe and suitable for consumption.
Phrases “where necessary” and “where appropriate” were used in this standard. In deciding
whether a requirement is necessary or appropriate, an assessment of the risks should be
made, preferably within the framework of the HACCP approach. This approach allows the
requirements in this standard to be flexibly and sensibly applied with a proper regard for the
overall objectives of producing food which is safe and suitable for consumption. In so doing it
takes into account the wide diversity of activities and varying degrees of risk involved in
producing food. Additional guidance is available as in Annex A for specific food codes and
Annex B for relevant MS.
This standard lays a firm foundation on good manufacturing practice (GMP) to ensure food
hygiene and should be used in conjunction with each specific code of hygienic practice and
the guidelines on microbiological criteria, where appropriate. The standard follows the food
chain from incoming materials through to the customers, highlighting the key hygiene controls
at each stage. It recommends a HACCP - based approach wherever possible to enhance
food safety as described in MS 1480, Food Safety According to Hazard Analysis and Critical
Control Point (HACCP) System".
1 Scope
This Malaysian Standard follows the food chain from incoming materials to the customer,
setting out the necessary hygiene conditions for producing food which is safe and suitable for
consumption in food manufacturing.
This standard provides a base-line structure on GMP. For other specific guidance applicable
to particular sectors, see Annex A and B. Such specific guidance should be read in
conjunction with this standard.
2 Normative references
The following normative references are indispensable for the application of this standard. For
dated reference, only the edition cited applies. For undated reference, the latest edition of the
normative reference (including any amendments) applies.
MS 1480, Food Safety According to Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)
System
3 Definitions
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For the purpose of this Malaysian Standard, the following definitions apply.
3.1 Cleaning
The removal of soil, food residue, dirt, grease or other objectionable matter.
3.2 Contaminant
Any biological or chemical agent, foreign matter, or other substances not intentionally added
to food which may compromise food safety or suitability.
3.3 Contamination
3.4 Disinfection
3.5 Establishment
Any premises comprising groups of people and facilities that are involved in the food
preparation, processing, manufacturing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution,
handling or offering for sale or supply in any sector of the food chain.
All measures and conditions necessary to control hazards and to ensure safety and suitability
of food for human consumption taking into account its intended use.
A set of regulations, codes, and guidelines that control the operational conditions within a
food establishment allowing for the production of safe food.
3.8 Hazard
A biological, chemical or physical agent in, or condition of, food with the potential to cause an
adverse health effect.
A system which identifies, evaluates, and controls hazards which are significant for food
safety.
3.10 Risk
A function of the probability of an adverse health effect and the severity of that effect,
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Any person who directly handles packaged or unpackaged food, food equipment and utensils,
or food contact surfaces and is therefore expected to comply with food hygiene requirements.
Assurance that food will not cause harm to the consumer when it is prepared and/or eaten
according to its intended use.
Assurance that food is acceptable for human consumption according to its intended use.
3.14 Visitor
Visitors include external visitors and service support staff. Examples of external visitors are
auditors, enforcement officers, suppliers, contractors, etc. Service support staff includes any
other person who are not working in that particular area, e.g. maintenance, management
staffs and cleaners, etc.
3.15 Sanitation
3.16 Sanitisation
To adequately treat food-contact surfaces by a process that is effective in destroying
vegetative cells of microorganisms of public health significance, and in substantially reducing
numbers of other undesirable microorganisms, but without adversely affecting the product or
its safety for the consumer.
Depending on the nature of the operations and the risks associated with them, premises,
equipment and facilities should be located, designed and constructed to ensure that:
a) contamination is minimised;
b) design and layout permit appropriate maintenance, cleaning and disinfection and
minimise air-borne contamination;
c) surfaces and materials, in particular those in contact with food, are non-toxic in intended
use and, where necessary, suitably durable, and easy to maintain and clean;
d) where appropriate, suitable facilities are available for temperature, humidity and other
controls; and
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4.2 Rationale
Attention to good hygienic design and construction, appropriate location, and the provision of
adequate facilities, is necessary to enable hazards to be effectively controlled.
4.3 Location
Potential sources of contamination need to be considered when deciding where to locate food
establishments, as well as the effectiveness of any reasonable measures that might be taken
to protect food. Establishments should not be located anywhere where, after considering such
protective measures, it is clear that there will remain a threat to food safety or suitability. In
particular, establishments should be located away from:
a) environmentally polluted areas and industrial activities which pose potential and serious
threat of contaminating food;
The internal design and layout of food establishments should permit good food hygiene
practices, including protection of foodstuffs against cross-contamination during and in
between operations.
It should permit the taking of proper precautions to reduce the potential for contamination of
food, food-contact surfaces, or food-packaging materials with microorganisms, chemicals, filth
or other extraneous material. The potential for contamination can be reduced by adequate
food safety controls and operating practices or effective design, including the separation of
operations in which contamination is likely to occur, by one or more of the following means,
location, time, partition, air flow, enclosed systems or other effective means.
Aisles or working spaces should be provided between equipment and walls and be
adequately unobstructed and of adequate width to permit employees to perform their duties
and to protect against contaminating food or food-contact surfaces with clothing or personal
contact.
Structures within food establishments should be soundly built of durable materials and be
easy to maintain, clean and where appropriate, able to be disinfected. In particular the
following specific conditions should be satisfied where necessary to protect the safety and
suitability of food:
a) the surfaces of walls, partitions and floors should be made of impervious materials with no
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b) walls and partitions should have a smooth surface up to a height appropriate to the
operation;
d) ceilings and overhead fixtures should be constructed and finished to minimise the build
up of dirt and condensation, and the shedding of particles. The drip or condensate from
fixtures, ducts and pipes shall not contaminate food, food-contact surfaces, or food-
packaging materials;
e) windows should be constructed to minimise the build up of dirt, be easy to clean, and
where necessary, be fitted with removable and cleanable insect-proof screens;
f) doors should have smooth, non-absorbent surfaces and be easy to clean and, where
necessary, disinfect; and
g) working surfaces that come into direct contact with food should be in sound condition,
durable and easy to clean, maintain and sanitise. They should be made of smooth, non-
absorbent materials, and inert to the food, to detergents and sanitisers under normal
operating conditions.
4.5 Equipment
4.5.1 General
Equipment and containers should be made of materials with no toxic effect in intended use.
Where necessary, equipment should be durable and movable or capable of being
disassembled to allow for maintenance, cleaning, sanitisation, monitoring and to facilitate
inspection for pests.
Container for waste, by-product and inedible substance, shall be specifically identified,
suitably constructed and where appropriate, made of impervious materials. Containers used
to hold toxic substances shall be identified and, kept locked to prevent malicious or accidental
contamination of food.
4.5.2.1 Design
Equipment and containers (other than disposable containers and packaging) that come into
contact with food, should be designed and constructed to ensure that, they can be adequately
cleaned, sanitised and maintained to avoid the contamination of food.
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Equipment used to cook, heat treat, cool, store or freeze food should be designed to achieve
the required food temperatures as rapidly as necessary in the interests of food safety and
suitability, and maintain them effectively. Such equipment should also be designed to allow
temperatures to be monitored and controlled. Where necessary, such equipment should have
effective means of controlling and monitoring humidity, air-flow and other characteristics likely
to have a detrimental effect on the safety or suitability of food. These requirements are
intended to ensure that:
c) temperatures and other conditions necessary to food safety and suitability can be rapidly
achieved and maintained; and
d) the design, construction, and use of equipment and utensils preclude the adulteration of
food with lubricants, fuel, metal fragments, contaminated water or any other
contaminants.
The monitoring and measuring equipment used shall be calibrated or verified at specified
intervals or prior to use, against measurement standards traceable to national or international
measurement standards; where no such standards exist, the basis used for calibration or
verification shall be recorded.
Temperature and/or time recording devices shall be checked at regular intervals and tested
for accuracy.
4.6 Facilities
An adequate supply of potable water with appropriate facilities for its storage, distribution and
temperature control, shall be available to ensure the safety and suitability of food.
Potable water shall be as specified as in Food Regulations 1985. Non-potable water (for use
in, for example, fire control, steam production not in direct contact with food, refrigeration and
other similar purposes where it would not contaminate food), shall have a separate system.
Non-potable water systems shall be identified and shall not connect with, or allow reflux into,
potable water systems.
Adequate drainage and waste disposal systems and facilities shall be provided. They should
be designed and constructed so that the risk of contaminating food or the potable water
supply is avoided.
Drainage facilities are to be adequate for the purpose intended. They are to be designed and
constructed to avoid the risk of contamination. Where drainage channels are fully or partially
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open, they are to be so designed as to ensure that waste does not flow from a contaminated
area towards or into a clean area, in particular an area where foods likely to present a high
risk to the final consumer, are handled.
4.6.3 Cleaning
Adequate facilities, suitably designated, shall be provided for cleaning food, utensils and
equipment. Such facilities should have an adequate supply of hot and cold potable water
where appropriate.
a) adequate means of hygienically washing and drying hands, including wash basins and a
supply of water and sanitisers;
b) adequate number of toilets of appropriate hygienic design and shall not to open directly
into rooms where food is handled;
d) devices or fixtures, such as water control valves, so designed and constructed to protect
against recontamination of clean, sanitised hands.
The establishment shall provide its employees with adequate, readily accessible toilet
facilities. Compliance with this requirement may be accomplished by:
d) providing doors that do not open into areas where food is exposed to airborne
contamination, except where alternate means have been taken to protect against such
contamination (such as double doors or positive airflow systems).
Hand-washing facilities shall be adequate, easily accessible and be furnished with running
water. Compliance with this requirement may be accomplished by providing:
f) receptacles that are constructed and maintained in a manner that protects against
recontamination.
Depending on the nature of the food operations undertaken, suitable facilities of sufficient
capacityshould be available for heating, cooling, cooking, refrigerating and freezing food, for
storing refrigerated or frozen foods, monitoring food temperatures, and when necessary,
controlling ambient temperatures to ensure the safety and suitability of food.
c) control odours which might affect the suitability of food and food-packaging materials; and
d) control humidity, where necessary, to ensure the safety and suitability of food.
Ventilation systems should be designed and constructed so that air does not flow from
contaminated areas to clean areas and they can be adequately maintained and cleaned.
4.6.7 Lighting
Adequate natural or artificial lighting should be provided to enable the undertaking to operate
in a hygienic manner. Where necessary, lighting should not be such that the resulting colour
is misleading. The intensity should be adequate to the nature of the operation. Lighting
fixtures should be protected to ensure that food is not contaminated by breakages.
4.6.8 Storage
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Adequate facilities for the storage of food, ingredients and non-food chemicals e.g. cleaning
materials, lubricants, fuels, should be provided.
d) where necessary, provide an environment which minimises the deterioration of food (e.g.
by temperature and humidity control).
The type of storage facilities required will depend on the nature of the food. Separate and
secure storage facilities for cleaning materials and hazardous substances should be provided.
5 Control of operation
5.1 Objective
To produce food which is safe and suitable for human consumption by:
5.2 Rationale
To reduce the risk of unsafe food by taking preventive measures to assure the safety and
suitability of food at an appropriate stage in the operation by controlling food hazards.
Food business operators should control food hazards in accordance to GMP requirements
including the following:
a) identify raw materials and steps in their operations which are critical to the safety of food;
These systems should be applied throughout the food chain to control food hygiene,
throughout the shelf life of the product through proper product and process design. Work-in-
process shall be handled in a manner that protects against contamination.
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Control procedures may be simple, such as checking stock rotation, calibrating equipment or
correctly loading refrigerated display units. In some cases a system based on expert advice
and involving documentation, may be appropriate.
Food, raw materials and other ingredients that are contaminated shall be disposed of in a
manner that protects against the contamination of other food.
Inadequate food temperature control is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness
or food spoilage. Such controls include time and temperature of cooking, cooling, processing
and storage. Systems should be in place to ensure that temperature is controlled effectively
where it is critical to the safety and suitability of food.
a) the nature of the food, e.g. its water activity, pH, and likely initial level and types of
microorganisms;
d) how the product is intended to be used e.g. further cooking/processing or ready-to- eat.
Such systems should also specify tolerable limits for time and temperature variations.
Food that can support the rapid growth of undesirable microorganisms, particularly those of
public health significance, shall be held in a manner that prevents the food from becoming
contaminated. Compliance with this requirement may be accomplished by any effective
means, including:
d) heat treating acid or acidified foods to destroy mesophilic microorganisms when those
foods are to be held in hermetically sealed containers at ambient temperatures; and
e) thawing frozen raw material shall be carried out as quickly as possible without raising the
temperature of all or part of the product to prevent spoilage preferably in chilled thawing
room.
Other steps which contribute to food hygiene should be controlled and this may include
irradiation, drying, chemical preservation, vacuum or modified atmospheric packaging,
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Control of food hazards, offer an effective way of ensuring the safety and suitability of food.
Where microbiological, chemical or physical specifications are used in any food control
system, such specifications should be based on sound scientific principles and state, where
appropriate, monitoring procedures, analytical methods and action limits.
Pathogens can be transferred from one food to another, either by direct contact or by food
handlers, contact surfaces or the air. Raw, unprocessed food should be effectively separated
from ready-to-eat foods, either physically or by time, with effective intermediate cleaning and
sanitisation, where appropriate.
Effective measures shall be taken to protect finished food from contamination by raw
materials, other ingredients, or refuse. When raw materials, other ingredients, or refuse are
unprotected, they shall not be handled simultaneously in a receiving, loading, or shipping area
if that handling could result in contaminated food. Food transported by conveyor shall be
protected against contamination.
Access to processing areas should be restricted or controlled. Where risks are particularly
high, access to processing areas should be via a changing facility and/or controlled using
other decontamination measures. Personnel shall be required to put on clean protective
clothing including footwear and wash their hands before entering.
Where specified in relevant legal requirements, protective clothing should be managed and
issued to personnel on site.
Surfaces, utensils, equipment, fixtures and fittings should be thoroughly cleaned and where
necessary sanitised after raw food, particularly meat and poultry, has been handled or
processed.
Food manufacturing areas and equipment used for manufacturing human food should not be
used for any other purpose.
Systems shall be in place to prevent contamination of foods by foreign bodies such as glass
or metal shards from machinery, dust, harmful fumes and unwanted chemicals. In
manufacturing and processing, suitable detection or screening devices should be used where
necessary.
Effective measures shall be taken to protect against the inclusion of metal or other extraneous
material in food. This can be accomplished by using sieves, traps, magnets, electronic metal
detectors or other suitable effective means. All control measures shall be validated to ensure
effectiveness.
Food, raw materials, and other ingredients that are contaminated shall be disposed of in a
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Raw material and ingredient shall not be accepted by an establishment if they are known to
contain parasites, undesirable microorganisms, pesticides, veterinary drugs or toxic
decomposed or extraneous substances which cannot be eliminated or reduced to an
acceptable level by normal sorting and/or processing.
Specifications for raw materials should be identified and applied in order to reduce the
likelihood of introducing a hazard which may adversely affect the safety of food, or its
suitability for consumption, at later stages of the food chain.
Raw materials, ingredients and packaging materials should, be inspected and sorted before
processing. Where necessary, laboratory tests should be made to establish fitness for use.
Only sound, suitable raw materials or ingredients should be used.
Stocks of raw materials, ingredients and packaging materials should be subjected to effective
stock rotation.
Where appropriate, the establishment should have a supplier quality assurance programme,
which covers selection of supplier, approved list of supplier and supplier evaluation.
5.6 Packaging
Packaging design and materials should provide adequate protection for products to minimise
contamination, prevent damage, and accommodate proper labelling. Packaging materials or
gases when used shall be non-toxic and not pose a threat to the safety and suitability of food
under the specified conditions of storage and use.
Where appropriate, reusable packaging should be suitably durable, easy to clean and where
necessary, to sanitise.
Filling, assembling, packaging, and other operations shall be performed in such a way that
the food is protected against contamination. These can be accomplished by any effective
means, including:
a) use of a quality control operation in which the critical steps are identified and controlled
during manufacturing;
b) adequate cleaning and sanitising of all food-contact surfaces and food containers;
c) using materials for food containers and food packaging materials which are safe and
suitable;
5.7 Water
Only potable water shall be used in food handling and processing, with the following
exceptions:
a) for steam production, fire control and other similar purposes not connected with food; and
b) in certain food processes, e.g. chilling, and in food handling areas, provided this does not
constitute a hazard to the safety and suitability of food, e.g. the use of clean sea water.
Water recirculated for reuse should be treated and maintained in such a condition that no risk
to the safety and suitability of food results from its use. The treatment process should be
effectively monitored. Recirculated water which has received no further treatment and water
recovered from processing of food by evaporation or drying may be used, provided its use
does not constitute a risk to the safety and suitability of food.
Ice should be made from water that complies with 4.6.1. Steam used in direct contact with
food or food contact surfaces should not constitute a threat to the safety and suitability of
food. Ice and steam should be produced, handled and stored to protect them from
contamination.
The type of control and supervision needed will depend on the size of the business, the
nature of its activities and the types of food involved. Managers and supervisors should have
enough knowledge of food hygiene principles and practices to be able to judge potential risks,
take appropriate preventive and corrective action, and ensure effective monitoring and
supervision take place.
5.9.1 Appropriate records of processing, production and distribution should be kept and
retained for a period that exceeds the shelf-life of the product. Documentation can enhance
the credibility and effectiveness of the food safety control system.
Documents required by the GMP shall be controlled. Records are a special type of document
and shall be controlled according to the requirements given in 5.9.2.2.
The controls shall ensure that all proposed changes are reviewed prior to implementation to
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c) ensure that changes and the current revision status of documents are identified;
d) ensure that relevant versions of applicable documents are available at points of use;
f) ensure that relevant documents of external origin are identified and their distribution
controlled; and
g) prevent the unintended use of obsolete documents, and to ensure that they are suitably
identified as such if they are retained for any purpose.
5.10 Traceability
The establishment shall establish and apply a traceability system that enables the
identification of product lots and their relation to batches of raw materials, processing and
delivery records.
The traceability system shall be able to identify incoming material from the immediate
suppliers and the initial distribution route of the end product.
Traceability records shall be maintained for a defined period for system assessment to enable
the handling of potentially unsafe products and in the event of product recall. Records shall be
in accordance with statutory and regulatory requirements and customer requirements and can
be based on the end product lot identification.
Managers should ensure effective procedures are in place to deal with any food safety hazard
and to enable the effective recall of any implicated lot of the finished food from the market.
Recall system shall include written procedures to ensure rapid identification and removal of
products from the market in a timely manner.
Where a product has been recalled because of a food safety hazard; other products which
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are produced under similar conditions, and which may present a similar hazard to public
health, should be evaluated for safety and may need to be recalled. The need for public
warnings should be considered.
Recalled products should be held under supervision until they are destroyed, used for
purposes other than human consumption, determined to be safe for human consumption, or
reprocessed in a manner to ensure their safety.
6.1 Objective
6.2 Rationale
To facilitate the continuing effective control of food safety hazards, pests and other agents
likely to contaminate food.
6.3.1 Premises and equipment should be kept in an appropriate state of repair and
condition to:
c) prevent contamination of food, e.g. from metal shards, flaking plaster, debris and
chemicals.
d) monitoring arrangements.
6.3.3 Building, fixtures and other physical facilities of the premise shall be maintained in a
sanitary condition and shall be kept in good repair. Maintenance operations shall be
conducted in a manner that protects against contamination of food, food-contact surfaces, or
food packaging materials.
6.3.4 Any structural alteration, repairs, renovations, plumbing, or drainage work that may
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be undertaken or required to prevent food safety hazard shall be carried out without any
undue delay.
6.3.5 All equipment shall be cleaned and maintained regularly. Surface of equipment in
contact with food shall be cleaned and sanitised before and after each manufacturing
operation.
6.3.6 Items such as filters and screens shall be readily removable for inspection,
replacement and cleaning.
6.3.7 The whole of the premises shall be maintained in good, clean, and tidy condition. Any
accumulation of boxes, tins, empty bottles, rubbish or any article not connected to the process
or trade should be avoided.
6.3.8 Cleaning programmes should ensure that all parts of the establishment are
appropriately clean and should include the cleaning of cleaning equipment.
These Cleaning programmes should be continually and effectively monitored for their
suitability and effectiveness, documented and should specify:
6.3.9 Cleaning can be carried out by the separate or the combined use of physical and
chemical methods. Cleaning procedures will involve:
b) dry cleaning or other appropriate methods for removing and collecting residues and
debris
c) applying cleaning chemicals to loosen soil and bacterial film and hold them in solution or
suspension;
d) rinsing with water to remove loosened soil and residues of cleaning chemicals; and
e) sanitisation.
All food-contact surfaces, including utensils and food-contact surfaces of equipment, shall be
cleaned as frequently as necessary to protect against contamination of food.
d) Single-service articles (such as disposable utensils intended for one-time use, paper
cups, and paper towels) should be stored in appropriate containers and shall be
handled, dispensed, used and disposed of in a manner that protects against
contamination of food or food-contact surfaces.
e) Sanitising agents shall be adequate and safe under conditions of use. Any facility,
procedure or machine is acceptable for cleaning and sanitising equipment and utensils if
it is established that the facility, procedure or machine will routinely render equipment
and utensils clean and provide adequate cleaning and sanitising treatment.
6.3.11 Cleaning and sanitising chemicals should be handled and used carefully and in
accordance with manufacturers' instructions and securely stored. Toxic chemicals, sanitising
agents and pesticide shall be identified, held and stored in clearly identified containers,
separated from food, food-contact surfaces or food-packaging materials. These chemicals
shall be kept under lock, access to these chemicals controlled, and the store room should
have adequate ventilation
6.4.1 General
Pests pose a major threat to the safety and suitability of food. Pest infestations can occur
where there are breeding sites and a supply of food. Good hygiene practices should be
employed to avoid creating an environment conducive to pests. Good sanitation, inspection
of incoming materials and good monitoring can minimise the likelihood of infestation and
thereby limit the need for pesticides.
There shall be an effective pest control program for the premises and equipment which
includes:
a) the name of the responsible person or name of the pest control company;
b) the chemicals used, their concentrations and in accordance to Chemical Safety Data
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Sheet (CSDS);
e) a map of trap locations, bait stations, areas sprayed, insect electrocutors, and other pest
control devices; and
Pest control programmes may be contracted out to licensed pest control company.
Buildings should be kept in good repair and condition to prevent pest access and to eliminate
potential breeding sites. Holes, drains and other places where pests are likely to gain access
should be kept sealed. Wire mesh screens, for example on open windows, doors and
ventilators, will reduce the problem of pest entry. Animals or pets should be excluded from
the grounds of factories and food processing plants.
The availability of food and water encourages pest harbourage and infestation. Potential food
sources should be stored in pest-proof containers and/or stacked above the ground and away
from walls. Areas both inside and outside food premises should be kept clean. Refuse shall
be stored in covered, pest-proof containers.
In circumstances where the pest control programme is carried out by a pest control company,
the responsible person from the establishment should conduct regular monitoring in between
visits by the pest control company.
6.4.3.4 Eradication
Pest infestations should be dealt with immediately and without adversely affecting food safety
or suitability. Treatment with chemical, physical or biological agents should be carried out
without posing a threat to the safety or suitability of food.
a) responsibility;
Waste shall be disposed in such a manner to prevent contamination throughout the process
from incoming materials to finished products, as well as potable water and should not give
rise to any nuisance to the environment.
Suitable location and provisions shall be made for the removal and storage of waste. Waste
shall not be allowed to accumulate in food handling, food storage, other working areas and
the adjoining environment.
Waste receptacles and waste accumulating area shall be kept appropriately clean and
disinfected periodically.
Liquid waste shall be discharged in such a manner to exclude contamination throughout the
process from incoming materials to finished products, as well as potable water.
All plumbing and effluent disposal lines, sewerage systems, shall be of sufficient capacity to
carry peak loads. All lines shall be watertight with adequate traps and vents.
Sumps or solid matter traps included in the drainage system shall be emptied frequently and
at the end of every working day.
Liquid waste shall be treated and disposed incompliance to the current regulations.
7 Personal hygiene
7.1 Objectives
To ensure that those who come directly or indirectly into contact with food are not likely to
contaminate food by:
7.2 Rationale
People who do not maintain an appropriate degree of personal cleanliness, who have certain
illnesses or conditions or who behave inappropriately, can contaminate food and transmit
illness to consumers.
All food handlers shall be medically examined by a registered medical practitioner and
vaccinated according to current legislative requirements.
Illness and injuries such as jaundice, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, persistent cough, sore throat
with fever, visibly infected skin lesions (boils, cuts, etc.) and discharges from the ear, eye or
nose shall be reported to the management so that any need for medical examination and/or
possible exclusion from food handling can be considered.
All persons working in direct contact with food, food-contact surfaces, and food-packaging
materials shall conform to hygienic practices while on duty to the extent necessary to protect
against contamination of food. The methods for maintaining cleanliness include, but are not
limited to:
a) wear outer garments, light coloured and suitable to the operation in a manner that
protects against the contamination of food, food-contact surfaces, or food packaging
materials;
c) wash hands thoroughly (and sanitising to protect against contamination with undesirable
microorganisms) in an adequate hand-washing facility before starting work, after each
absence from the work station, and at any other time when the hands may have become
soiled or contaminated;
d) remove protective clothing (i.e. overall, head cover, apron) before visiting the toilet;
e) remove all jewellery and other objects that might fall into food, equipment, or containers,
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and removing hand jewellery that cannot be adequately sanitised during periods in which
food is manipulated by hand. If such hand jewellery cannot be removed, it may be
covered by material which can be maintained in an intact, clean, and sanitary condition
and which effectively protects against the contamination by these objects of the food,
food-contact surfaces, or food-packaging materials;
f) maintain gloves, if they are used in food handling, in an intact, clean, and sanitary
condition. The gloves should be of an impermeable material;
g) wear, where appropriate, in an effective manner, hair nets, headbands, caps, beard
covers, or other effective hair restraints;
h) store clothing or other personal belongings in areas other than where food is exposed or
where equipment or utensils are washed;
i) confine the following to areas other than where food may be exposed or where equipment
or utensils are washed: eating food, chewing gum, drinking beverages, or using tobacco;
and
j) take any other necessary precautions to protect against contamination of food, food-
contact surfaces, or food-packaging materials with microorganisms or foreign substances
including, but not limited to, perspiration, hair, cosmetics, tobacco, chemicals, and
medicines applied to the skin.
People engaged in food handling activities should refrain from any behaviour which could
result in contamination of food such as smoking, spitting, chewing or eating, sneezing or
coughing over unprotected food, licking any fingers, scratching their body and blowing their
nose.
Personal effects such as jewellery, watches, pins or other items that posed a threat to safety
and suitability of food shall not be worn or brought into food handling areas.
7.7 Visitors
Visitors to food manufacturing, processing or handling areas should wear protective clothing
and adhere to the other personal hygiene provisions in this section, clause 7.
b) protect food from damage likely to render the food unsuitable for consumption; and
8.2 Rationale
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Food may become contaminated, or may not reach its destination in a suitable condition for
consumption, unless effective control measures are taken during transport, even where
adequate hygiene control measures have been taken earlier in the food chain.
8.3 General
Food shall be adequately protected during transport. The type of conveyances or containers
required depends on the nature of the food and the conditions under which it has to be
transported.
8.4 Requirements
Conveyances and bulk containers should be designed and constructed so that they:
c) permit effective separation of different foods or foods from non-food items where
necessary during transport;
d) provide effective protection from pest infestation and other contamination, including dust
and fumes;
e) can effectively maintain the temperature, humidity, atmosphere and other conditions
necessary to protect food from harmful or undesirable microbial growth, production of
toxin and deterioration likely to render food unsuitable for consumption; and
Conveyances and containers for transporting food should be kept in an appropriate state of
cleanliness, repair and condition. Where the same conveyance or container is used for
transporting different foods, or non-foods, effective cleaning and, where necessary,
disinfection should take place between loads.
9 Product information
9.1 Objectives
a) adequate and accessible information is available to the next person in the food chain to
enable them to handle, store, process, prepare and display the product safely and
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correctly; and
9.2 Rationale
Insufficient product information can lead to products being mishandled at later stages in the
food chain. Such mishandling can result in illness, or products becoming unsuitable for
consumption, even where adequate control measures have been taken earlier in the food
chain.
Lot or batch identification is essential in traceability and product recall and also helps effective
stock rotation. Each container of food should be permanently marked to identify the producer
and the lot or batch.
All food products should be accompanied by or bear adequate information to enable the next
person in the food chain to handle, display, store and prepare and use the produce safely and
correctly.
Information for industry or trade users should be clearly distinguishable from consumer
information, particularly on food labels.
9.5 Labelling
Finished product labelling shall meet the requirements of the relevant legislations.
10 Training
10.1 Objective
To ensure those engaged in food operations who come directly or indirectly into contact with
food are properly trained, and/or instructed in food hygiene to a level appropriate to the
operations they are to perform.
10.2 Rationale
All personnel shall be aware of their role and responsibility in protecting food from
contamination or deterioration. Food handlers should have the necessary knowledge and
skills to enable them to handle food safely. Those who handle strong cleaning chemicals or
other potentially hazardous chemicals shall be instructed in safe handling techniques.
The establishment shall prepare a training plan identifying the need for training which is
essential for the implementation and maintenance of GMP. The need for training shall be
reviewed at appropriate intervals.
Training shall be maintained at a level that ensures all employees know their responsibilities
to maintain GMP. Details of training sessions shall include, for example, programme content,
competency of the trainer, assessment of trainees and establishment of the requirement for
retraining.
Managers and supervisors of food processes should have the necessary knowledge of GMP
to be able to judge potential risks and take the necessary action to remedy deficiencies.
Training programmes should be routinely reviewed and updated where necessary. Systems
should be in place to ensure that food handlers remain aware of all procedures necessary to
maintain the safety and suitability of food.
11 Internal inspection
11.1 Self inspection
Self inspection of all the plant facilities and processing lines shall be carried out periodically to
ensure the adequacy and effectiveness of its food safety program by appointed personnel.
11.2.1 An internal audit shall be planned and conducted at least once a year by
independent personnel designated by the management. Auditors shall not audit their own
work.
11.2.3 Corrective actions shall be taken without undue delay on any non-conformances
found and closed out once satisfactory action has been taken.
11.2.5 Where internal auditors are not available within the organisation, assistance from
qualified external sources can be obtained.
12 Management review
The company’s management with executive responsibility shall review the continuing
suitability and effectiveness of the GMP at defined intervals to fulfill the requirements of
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13 Legal requirements
The system shall in other aspects comply with legislation including other relevant
requirements currently in force in Malaysia.
Annex A
(informative)
Principles for the Application of Traceability/Product Tracing with respect to Food Inspection
and Certification
CAC/RCP 21-1979, Code of Hygienic Practice for Foods for Infants and Children
CAC/GL 08-1991, Guidelines on Formulated Supplementary Foods for Older Infants and
Young Children
CAC/RCP 8-1976 (Rev. 2-1983), Code of Hygienic Practice for the Processing and Handling
of Quick Frozen Foods
CAC/RCP 23-1979 (Rev. 2-1993), Recommended International Code of Hygienic Practice for
Low and Acidified Low Acid Canned Foods
CAC/RCP 46-1999, Code of Hygienic Practice for Refrigerated Packaged Foods with
Extended Shelf Life
CAC/RCP 42-1995, Code of Hygienic Practice for Spices and Dried Aromatic Plants
CAC/RCP 2-1969, Code of Hygienic Practice for Canned Fruit and Vegetable Products
CAC/RCP 5-1971, Code of Hygienic Practice for Dehydrated Fruits and Vegetables, including
Edible Fungi
CAC/RCP 53-2003, Code of Hygienic Practice For Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
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CAC/RCP 41-1993, Code for Ante-mortem and Post-mortem Inspection of Slaughter Animals
and for Antemortem and Post-mortem Judgement of Slaughter Animals and Meat
CAC/RCP 32-1983, Code of Practice for the Production, Storage and Composition of
Mechanically Separated Meat and Poultry for Further Processing
CAC/RCP 30-1983, Code of Hygienic Practice for the Processing of Frog Legs
CAC/RCP 11-1976, Rev. 1 (1993), Code of Hygienic Practice for Fresh Meat
CAC/RCP 13-1976, Rev. 1 (1985), Code of Hygienic Practice for Processed Meat and Poultry
Products
CAC/RCP 57-2004, Code of Hygienic Practice for Milk and Milk Products
Revision of the Guidelines for the Establishment of a Regulatory Programme for the Control
of Veterinary Drug
Residues in Foods Prevention and Control of Drug Residues in Milk and Milk Products
(including milk and milk products)
CAC/RCP 15-1976, Code of Hygienic Practice for Egg Products (amended 1978, 1985)
Revision of the Code of Hygienic Practice for Egg Products
CAC/RCP 35-1985, Code of Practice for Frozen Battered and/or Breaded Fishery products
A1.10 Waters
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CAC/RCP 33-1985, Code of Hygienic Practice for the Collection, Processing and Marketing of
Natural Mineral Waters
CAC/RCP 48-2001, Code of Hygienic Practice for Bottled/Packaged Drinking Waters (Other
than Natural Mineral Waters)
A1.11 Transportation
CAC/RCP 47-2001, Code of Hygienic Practice for the Transport of Food in Bulk and Semi-
packed Food
CAC/RCP 36-1987 (Rev. 1-1999), Code of Practice for the Storage and Transport of Edible
Oils and Fats in Bulk
CAC/RCP 44-1995, Code of Practice for Packaging and Transport of Tropical Fresh Fruit and
Vegetables
A1.12 Retail
CAC/RCP 39-1993, Code of Hygienic Practice for Precooked and Cooked Foods in Mass
Catering
CAC/RCP 55-2004, Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Aflatoxin
Contamination in Peanuts
CAC/RCP 56-2004, Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Lead
Contamination in Foods
Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Inorganic Tin Contamination in Canned
Foods
Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Aflatoxin Contamination in Treenuts
CAC/RCP 40-1993, Code of Hygienic Practice for Aseptically Processed and Packaged Low-
acid Foods
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CAC/RCP 49-2001, Code of Practice for Source Directed Measures to Reduce Contamination
of Food with Chemicals
CAC/GL 13-1991, Guidelines for the Preservation of Raw Milk by Use of the Lactoperoxidase
System
Annex B
(informative)
Related standards
Bibliography
[2] Guideline on Good Manufacturing Practice, Food Safety and Quality Division, Ministry of
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Health
[3] 21 CFR (Code Federal Regulations) Part 110 - Current Good Manufacturing Practice In
Manufacturing, Packing, or Holding Human Food
[4] Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of The European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April
2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs
Assoc Prof Dr Nik Ismail Nik Daud/ Malaysian Institute of Food Technology
Ms Zahara Merican