Food manufacturing regulations fall under the jurisdiction of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). They encompass and cover all different areas pertaining to the manufacturing of food in the United States. While these regulations fill multiple, dense volumes, their basic ideas can be easily outlined for a general understanding of how they work and what they cover.
Personnel
Food manufacturing regulations generally deal first with the personnel responsible for the processes in question. Disease control is one facet of the regulations that apply to personnel. Sick individuals, or ones exhibiting sores or lesions, are excluded from work until such problems are resolved. Personnel must also wear suitable protective clothing, wash hands diligently, wear gloves, hair nets or other head coverings as necessary and undergo training in adhering to food manufacturing regulations.
Buildings and Facilities
Regulations address the requirements for the buildings and facilities where food processing take place. These regulations cover everything from the size requirements for the proper running of a food manufacturing facility to the maintenance requirements for the equipment housed within it. Regulations also cover the grounds on which processing facilities sit so as to avoid the excessive growth of bacteria or other contaminants. Waste products must be removed in a hygienic and appropriate manner. All areas where food is manufactured must uphold specific sanitation requirements and be kept within certain standards of cleanliness.
Equipment
Food manufacturing regulations specifically address equipment standards in order to ensure that such items do not inadvertently contaminate the food that they process. For example, refrigeration and freezing equipment must have easy-to-read thermometers or gauges that demonstrate they are maintaining a temperature conducive to food safety. Also, all equipment must have seams that are smoothly bonded. Cracks where food particles can accumulate must be avoided.
Production and Process Controls
Food manufacturing regulations also address the various production and process controls that occur within a facility, outlining specific standards that must be adhered to. They stress that such processes must always maintain food safety and sanitation. These regulations also specifically address certain minerals and materials that might cause contamination during the food manufacturing process.
Defects
Food manufacturing regulations also specifically exclude natural defects in food products that do not pose any serious health threats to humans. These are referred to as "defect action levels" and are clearly outlined for each type of food manufacturing process. This helps to encourage efficiency, while still maintaining the safety and integrity of the food being processed by a facility.
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