6.2 Pre-packaging changes

6.2.1 Process room layout

In all food production there should be a flow of materials around the production room to prevent cross-contamination between raw food and the processed product and provide smoother working (Figure 6-1). The introduction of a packaging stage should be done so that this flow is maintained. Typically the introduction of packaging will require a store for the packaging materials, a packaging area, a quality control area for finished products and a store to hold the finished products before they are sent out for distribution to customers. Some types of packaging materials will also require an area for making them into containers (for example cardboard boxes), for cleaning and/or sterilizing the packaging before filling (for example glass jars or bottles) and a place for inspecting the packaging materials before filling.