Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!

The importance of environmental swabbing

A robust environmental swabbing program will greatly help dairy processors in ensuring the prime directive: public health.

Nestle scientists at work
June 12, 2018

The importance of environmental swabbing in dairy operations cannot be overstated. Some reasons are rather obvious, while others may not be so. But the responsibility falls on all food and beverage manufacturing companies to ensure that public safety, health and trust are not compromised in any way.

We do not always see (or are not always made aware of) actions occurring in a manufacturing facility that could have an adverse effect on our primary focus: the manufacture of safe foods and beverages. Things such as construction activities, roof and other water issues, temporary repairs, changes in processes and issues with refrigeration units, conveyors, drains, deteriorating floors, etc., all have the opportunity to create or become niche areas that support bacterial growth.

But a robust environmental swabbing program, as well a comprehensive sampling site selection, will greatly help you and your company in ensuring the prime directive: public health. Although this is only one tool, it is an important one, and many times is the only thing preventing a contaminated product from leaving a facility.

Environmental swabbing is an asset in determining whether pathogens are transient or residents of your facility. There are many vectors that will aid pathogens in their movement through your facility — for example, people, tools, movable equipment, water, pests, contractors, etc. If you implement a successful swabbing program, you will be able to identify transients before they are able to find harborage in either the facility structure or equipment. 

Proper technique and choice of swabbing tools must be considered as well. Too many times, I have seen a swab being used for pathogen testing. These swab devices serve a critical purpose, as small cracks, holes and apertures cannot be swabbed correctly without their use. However, they should not be used as the only tools; for example, they are not the best choices for taking environmental samples from easily accessible areas.

Proper pressure on the part of the investigator usually is insufficient with a swab; much more pressure can be applied when using a sponge. If the incorrect swab device is used, you could be putting your company at higher risk. Make sure the environmental swabbing is providing the best protection it can by performing a self-assessment to completely review the program. This can also be done by a trained subject matter expert.

Another important reason to have a diligent environmental swabbing program is to prevent recalls and regulatory visits. With the implementation of FDA’s Preventative Controls rules, the processing environment has been deemed, in many cases, a hazard likely to occur. Therefore, your food safety plans should now be addressing this concern.

A strong environmental monitoring program will greatly mitigate the potential of a recall and is the best prevention insurance a company can have. This important program could keep the name of your company out of the news.

Last, everyone wants to have the biggest advantage over the competition. Remember, when a company’s name is mentioned in recalls or in regulatory commentary such as warning letters and documents indicating provisionally approved status, it has a tremendous negative effect on consumer trust.
And competitors stand to gain from this reality.

Recall prevention has many components. Microbiologically speaking, pathogen mitigation, though an effective swabbing program, is well worth the investment in time and personnel, as well as in supply, testing, training, implementation and maintenance costs.

Finding a positive result through swabbing is a win-win situation. It not only serves as a finger on the pulse of the processing environment, but also acts as an early warning system. Addressing the positive in a preventive mode will ensure that continued wholesome food production will continue. 

This article was originally posted on www.dairyfoods.com.
KEYWORDS: dairy food safety environmental monitoring

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Food Type
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Training
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    Risk Assessment
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Deli Salads
    Sponsored byCorbion

    How Food Safety is Becoming the Ultimate Differentiator in Refrigerated and Prepared Foods

Popular Stories

recalled sysco and lyons imperial nutritional shakes

Listeria Outbreak Linked to Nutritional Shakes Served at Healthcare Facilities Causes 14 Deaths

Image of fish on ice

Common Fish Food Poisoning Types and Prevention Methods

Scientist inspecting food substance with microscope

FDA Announces ‘Proactive’ Post-Market Chemical Review Program to Keep Food Supply Safe

Events

June 12, 2025

Additive Bans Ahead: Your Guide to Avoiding Risk and Maintaining Agility

Live: June 12, 2025 at 12:00 pm EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn how ingredient bans will impact product development, labeling, and sourcing.

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • food inspection

    The importance of preventive controls

    See More
  • Nuts and seeds and non-thermal pasteurization

    The importance of maintaining nutritional and sensory quality in pasteurized food

    See More
  • Cookie tray packing

    The importance of ERP in recall prevention and preparedness

    See More
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing