Pest prevention for a food-safe business

Food safety is priority number one for the food industry. Various laws and standards help monitor hygiene in production so that products can be made in a food-safe manner. With a world population that continues to grow and food production becoming increasingly global, it is more important than ever to guarantee quality throughout the chain. Pest prevention and control plays a crucial role in this.

Worldwide, the FAO and WHO Codex Alimentarius is considered the main reference point for food safety and quality. It was introduced as early as 1961 and recognized in 1985. Codex has prompted countries to implement new food laws and standards based on Codex and create control bodies to oversee them.

What is the legislative framework in Europe?

In Europe, all national and individual measures go back to the "General Principles and Regulations of Food Law n° 178/2002. Three more regulations were added, respectively on food hygiene (852/2004), on laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin (853/2004) and on laying down specific rules for the organization of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consumption (854/2004).

What are the objectives of the HACCP regulations?

Quite a mouthful. Specifically, these rules are contained in the principles of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Criticial Control Points). This includes a systematic approach to food safety that focuses on preventing contamination by identifying, monitoring, correcting and documenting all potential hazards. Each food processing company must develop an HACCP system appropriate to its own products and to the conditions of processing and distribution.

Importance of pest control

One of the main causes of food contamination is the presence of parasites. Rodents and cockroaches, for example, are known to spread bacteria and dangerous viruses through their urine, feces, vomit, paws and bodies. This can lead to recalls that incur (un)direct costs but most importantly can seriously damage your image. Pest control is therefore a crucial component in any HACCP plan.

Making work of pest control

But how do you implement an effective pest prevention plan? By choosing an experienced partner. Rentokil has been active in the world of pest prevention and control for many years. Years of data analysis have allowed us to understand the various causes of a pest infestation. So that you can avoid them in advance or control them in the most efficient way. With the right people and with the right technology.

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