Explain Need For Microbiological Analysis of Environment Samples?

Once the food is harvested, it passes through various operating steps before reaching the consumer. These steps include -  

• Harvesting and transportation to the food processing facilities,
• Separation of desirable part of the food from raw material like removing of skin from the food or potatoes, etc.
• Cleaning of food items themselves and also of equipment and surfaces, and
• Processing and packaging of food items.

Contamination of food items can take place during these steps depending upon the hygienic and sanitary practices applied. Processing environment has an important contributory role in the addition of food microbiota. Heavily contaminated processing environment generally results in the poor quality food products and also pose a threat with food borne pathogens. To avoid these problems, therefore, it is essential to sample the processing environment, i.e., floors, drains, equipments and utensils, contact surfaces, air, storage sites, personnel hands and clothing etc. for microbial quality. Analysis of environment samples allows investigators to evaluate secondary contamination sources in the processing environment. Results of analysis also helps the processor to know the efficacy of cleaning and sanitization procedure, to trace the source of microbes in the processing facility and also to define the critical control points in the food processing operation. This may also helps in establishing the efficient HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) Plan.