Hazard
Wood Contamination
Hazard Category
Foreign matter or physical contamination
Common Source
Wooden storage pallets, equipment and utensils that contain wood, field grown raw materials and product packaging made from wood.
Food association
All types of food products
It can happen
Processed Chicken products were recalled in Australia due to wood contamination.
Prevention and Control:
- Ensure that wooden pallets are free from splinters.
- Use a thick barrier liner (that will not be pierced between the wooden pallet and food products stored on the pallet.
- Do not use wooden handled equipment or utensils that is not intact or adequately maintained. Avoid use if possible.
- Sieve all raw ingredients prior to use.
If you have any examples and applicable prevention and control measures please share your knowledge by commenting below.
This is a great article, thanks so much for sharing. It’s amazing how many things can cause foreign matter to get into food. It’s unfortunate that there’s not better ways of detecting wood it once it gets into the food- prevention is the only sure thing! At least metal foreign objects can be magnetically separated from food.
Thanks Rhianon. There is always x-ray technology that can be used for non-metal items.