Presentation
In accordance with EC regulation no. 852/2004, European Union member states are encouraging the development of national and community guides to good hygiene practice, based on the principles of the HACCP method. With this in mind, the French metal packaging industry, represented by the SNFBM (Syndicat National des Fabricants de Boites Métalliques), has drawn up a guide to good hygiene and manufacturing practices for metal food cans, packaging and closures. The committee responsible for drawing up the document included representatives of manufacturers of metal (steel and aluminum), varnish, seals and metal packaging.
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The aim of this work was to recommend the good hygiene and manufacturing practices for metal packaging needed to meet the health safety requirements now clearly laid down in European food legislation. Apart from the part relating to the manufacture and delivery of raw materials (steel, aluminum, gaskets and varnish), all stages of the manufacturing process are covered, from coil cutting to the dispatch of empty cans and ready-to-use lids.
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A chapter is also devoted to the regulatory requirements applicable to metal packaging intended for food contact (France, European Union and United States).
This guide was approved by AFSSA (Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments) on March 1, 2005, and published by SNFBM. It is regularly revised in line with regulatory developments.