Good Manufacturing Practices in the Food Industry.

Abstract

Good manufacturing practices (GMP) refers to an international set of regulations devised for implementation in the food and drug manufacturing industries to ensure safety of products. It requires documentation and periodic verification and it is enforced by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Nigeria. The application of good manufacturing practices in a food industry is therefore very necessary for the production of safe food. Good manufacturing practice is a prerequisite program that involve basic operational conditions and procedures. They include, correct construction and layout of the food premises, adequate maintenance of equipment and machinery used in processing, effective pest control program, quality control of raw materials and ingredients, storage and delivery. They also involve procedures such as employee training and personal hygiene, cleaning and sanitation, record keeping, traceability and recall. Good manufacturing practice is a fundamental management tool that should be applied in every quality system.