FOOD ZONE PRIMARY (FZP) CLASSIFICATION
ENSURES FOOD CONTACT SAFE
While there can be vast differences between the regulations, expectations and auditing
of food manufacturers and producers across the country, one thing remains constant –
risk management is a key to success.
The requirements for
certified food safety
management systems are
based on the principles
of HACCP. HACCP International
operates an assessment and
certification scheme for equipment,
materials and services used within
the food industry that make a
contribution to food safety – right
down to wipers and cloths. Not
all businesses are aware they can
reduce their risk by using HACCP
certified products.
But there is even more to the
story, with HACCP International
working to make certification
more transparent and to help food
businesses identify appropriate
use of products with Food Zone
classifications. HACCP International
technical manager Karen Constable
says evaluation of products and
services is strictly confined to
characteristics which could have
an impact on food safety or on the
proper operation of a HACCP based
food safety programme. “In openloop
processing such as in the meat,
seafood and poultry industry, this
can be critical,” she says.
Certified products are classified
as suitable for use in various
applications or areas of a food
facility. FZP (Food Zone Primary)
items are suitable for use in the
food zone and for contact with food,
including wiping down meat and
seafood. FZS (Food Zone Secondary)
items are suitable for touching
food contact surfaces but are not
expected to touch food during
normal conditions of use.
Wipers and cloths that are marketed
with claims that they are suitable
for direct contact with food must
be verified to be eligible for
certification. If they are found to be
suitable for certification, they will
be classified FZP. Wipers that are
marketed for use as aids to cleaning
and for use on food contact surfaces
are certified with the food zone
classification FZS.
Global leading brand Tork
Professional Hygiene recognises
the importance of HACCP
certification and has a large number
of wipers, hand towels, soaps and
dispensers that have passed the
strict certification criteria. When
a business buys a Tork product
with HACCP certification, it can be
confident and assured that it has
been assessed as safe for use in the
food industry.
“Tork is the only brand with wipers
and cloths that are HACCP certified
FZP. It’s concerning that some openloop
food processing businesses are
using uncertified products in direct
contact with food,”the company
says. “There is no knowing whether
chemicals are leaching out
or not. HACCP FZP and
ISEGA certification
on Tork wipers and
cloths make them
a safer choice
for the meat
industry.”
HACCP FZP certified products
include Tork Basic Papers,
Wiping Papers and Tork Heavy
Duty Cleaning Cloths. Tork wiper
dispensers are also HACCP certified
– Splash or Spill Zone (SSZ).
“Verification of suitability for
direct food contact can be done
in a number of ways. Commonly,
HACCP International will review and
verify laboratory reports of testing
for compliance to EU10/2011 and
the requirements of EC1935/2004.
The tests are used to check that
the wiper (for example) does not
let dangerous chemicals leach or
migrate into food during contact,”
Karen Constable says.
If your business currently uses
wipers, cloths or paper towels to
wipe down meat and fish, you
should be checking if it’s HACCP
FZP. If it’s in the food zone, being
food contact safe simply reduces
the risk. For a free sample pack visit
www.tork.co.nz/FZP
F A C T O R Y
/FZP
