Quality assurance systems information

Quality assurance (QA) systems for raw materials should be planned and documented using Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles. Any quality assurance system should start with a comprehensive raw material specification agreed with the supplier, where this is possible. This specification needs to be supported by an audit of the supplier to verify that the supplier has the expertise, technology and quality assurance system to meet the agreed specification. In many cases, however, given the lack of infrastructure and resources within many supplier countries, suppliers will be unable to comply with all aspects of a specification. In these circumstances, the company purchasing the material must rely on effective QA systems of its own. As well as appropriate procedures, effective QA systems rely for their success, in most cases, on experienced personnel.

The material as imported should firstly be inspected on delivery. The first inspection should be an overall inspection of the product as the doors of the container are opened or the load is made accessible. This necessarily basic first inspection is made to look for large-scale infestation, mould growth, unacceptable packaging, rodent infestation or an unsuitable container, e.g. one previously used for chemicals, which have contaminated the spice or herb.

The quality control system should then cover sampling and examination of the raw material. Sampling of the material for these tests should be on a square root basis throughout the load to a maximum of 10 samples. This should initially be physical and examine the amount of dust (with the aid of sieves as appropriate), the amount of stalks, stem, extraneous matter, etc. and most importantly the colour, flavour and general appearance of the product. This should be then backed up with tests relevant to the product for volatile oil, moisture, ash, acid insoluble ash, etc. Any tests specific to the material should also be carried out at this time. Microbiological testing at this stage should be carried out for the presence of Salmonella and E. Coli and the product positively released on the attainment of these parameters (generally Salmonella ND/25g, E. Coli 100 cfu/g). During this period, the product should be quarantined and no further processing permitted. Unacceptable material should be rejected or in certain cases may be reconditioned, e.g. re-cleaned, dried, etc., to bring it within the required parameters. This may be carried out in-house or at a specialist processor. Microbiologically unsatisfactory material may be gas treated or heat treated at this stage. Positive microbiological release should be employed on a pallet basis subsequent to heat treatment. Also incorporated within the QA system should be procedures for removing metal of all types. Characteristically this should consist of the use of metal detection/magnets at appropriate stages during processing and with obligatory use immediately prior to packing.