An Environmental Monitoring Programme (EMP) is a systematic approach to monitoring the cleanliness and microbiological safety of the environment within food manufacturing facilities. By regularly sampling and testing the air, surfaces, and equipment, an EMP helps identify potential sources of contamination, ensuring that hazards can be managed effectively before they affect the finished product.
Dairy manufacturers are legally required to include an EMP as part of their Risk Management Programme (RMP). This is crucial for meeting both the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) regulations and international standards for food safety.
An EMP helps manufacturers identify potential contamination risks early, preventing costly recalls, damage to brand, and health risks to consumers.
AsureQuality's EMP services
Our EMP testing services focus on three foodborne pathogens, Salmonella, Listeria, and Cronobacter, which pose a significant risk in food processing environments, especially in high-risk sectors like dairy manufacturing. Early detection allows for immediate corrective actions, reducing the risk of contamination and ensuring the safety of your products.
Beyond pathogen surveillance, an EMP is essential for verifying the effectiveness of hygiene controls. Cleaning and sanitising procedures (including CIP—Clean-In-Place systems) are vital for preventing microbial contamination. Our EMP programme uses indicator organisms such as Enterobacteriaceae, Coliforms, E. coli, yeasts & moulds and APC (Aerobic Plate Count) to assess the performance of your sanitation efforts. If cleaning procedures are insufficient, we can help you identify the areas needing improvement.
Our EMP service ensures your programme complies with all regulations, giving you confidence in your ability to meet industry requirements.
Our EMP testing services are flexible and can be tailored to the specific operational needs, size, and risk profile for your manufacturing facility. Whether you need routine pathogen surveillance or comprehensive hygiene verification, we can design a programme that suits your requirements.
To find out more, or begin using our pathogen surveillance services and hygiene verification programmes, please contact our team.
Read more: Delivery requirements for environmental swab and water samples