3.1 Temperature during storage

Found in:

Ham & Cooked Pork / Temperature control and storage

3.1.1 The storage area shall, under maximum load, maintain product temperatures within specification

3.1.2 The temperature of the chilled raw pork material and cooked ham/pork feedstock during storage shall be between -2°C to +5°C.

3.1.3 The temperature of frozen raw pork material or cooked ham/pork during storage shall be -18°C or colder.

3.1.4 Where deep chilled storage is used there shall be a standard operating procedure that details control of deep chilling under normal operational conditions, but which considers emergency procedures that shall be followed if breakdown occurs. Validation of shelf life within the deep chill shall consider worst case scenarios.

Guidance

The storage area may be equipped with auto door closure, air or strip curtains to minimise ingress of warm air during stock transfers.

Dependent on the process e.g. cold storage or tempering the refrigeration temperature may be set to a target temperature to allow for temperature fluctuations caused by defrost cycles, doors opening during stock transfer etc.

It may be acceptable for the air temperatures to be exceeded for short periods during defrost cycles/stock transfer etc. providing the product temperature remains within specification.

Shelf life challenges at -8°C are recommended

Evidence

Examples of temperature control records since the last audit. Validation records for deep chilling and Integrity of the packaging.