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Code of Practice: Processing of Bee Products

6 Control of Chemicals

Amendment 2

June 2006

6.1 Purpose and scope

To ensure the proper use and storage of chemicals to prevent or minimise the contamination of edible bee products, packaging, equipment, or processing environment. Chemicals include maintenance compounds used for cleaning, sanitation, fumigation, pest control, and the repairs and maintenance of equipment.

6.2 Sources of hazards

Source	Examples of hazards
Maintenance compounds (e.g. cleaning agents, pesticides, lubricants)	Chemical residues
Chemical containers	Chemical residues

6.3 Mandatory requirements

6.3.1 HC Spec 21(1)

Only approved maintenance compounds may be used during processing operations or in the maintenance of processing areas, facilities and equipment.

6.3.2 HC Spec 21 (2)

All containers of chemicals held and used within the premises must be labelled with the name of the chemical as they appear in the list of approved maintenance compounds contained in specifications.

6.3.3 AP Reg 11(3)

Chemicals must be stored, handled, and used in a manner that minimises contamination of honey and other bee products, other inputs, packaging, equipment, and the processing environment.

6.4 Procedures

6.4.1 Approved chemicals

A list of all approved chemicals used and held in the premises must be maintained.

6.4.2 Storage

6.4.2.1 Chemicals must be stored in a designated area (e.g. shelf, cupboard, room) and kept separate from edible bee products, ingredients, and packaging.

6.4.2.2 Chemicals must be kept in sealed containers when not in use.

6.4.2.3 All containers and implements used for measuring or pouring of chemicals must be clearly identified (e.g. labelled as ‘For Chemicals Only’) to ensure no secondary use of these containers.

6.4.2.4 Storage areas must be kept clean and tidy.

6.4.3 Use

6.4.3.1 All chemicals must be used according to the directions of the manufacturer and the conditions of the NZFSA approval. Directions for use must be readily available to the user (e.g. given in the label, posted on the wall or in product information data sheets).

6.4.3.2 Chemicals must be handled and used by or under the supervision of suitably trained or experienced personnel.

6.4.3.3 Equipment and other product contact surfaces must be cleaned by thorough washing after exposure to any chemical (i.e. after spraying with insecticide is completed).

6.4.4 Handling and disposition of contaminated materials

6.4.4.1 Empty chemical containers must be disposed of in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

6.4.4.2 Empty chemical containers must not be re-used for any other purpose within the premises.

6.4.4.3 When chemical contamination occurs, the following actions must be carried out:

• affected products must be considered unfit for human or animal consumption;

• affected food contact surfaces must be cleaned and sanitised prior to reuse; and

• affected packaging materials that cannot be effectively cleaned and sanitised must not be used for packing of any edible bee product.

6.4.5 Monitoring

Compliance to documented procedures must be regularly checked by the responsible person.

6.5 Records

Records giving the following information must be kept by the operator:

• list of approved chemicals used and held in the premises

• records of any problems detected and any corrective action taken (including restoration of control, product disposition and prevention of recurrence).