Pest control in the food industry: Raw materials control

There are different risks associated with the wholesomeness of foods, in particular with the handling of raw materials. To maintain sanitary conditions at a food plant, a pest control program must be applied as a preventive measure; for that, it is necessary to identify the major pests that affect raw materials. In addition, different action levels must be at hand to stop a pest once it has been detected, while avoiding the use of chemicals, in particular where there is a food surface exposed or in a food area. Pests must be prevented because of the shoddy image that they may impart to the packaging materials and because they are carriers of disease. In addition, the food itself must be free of rodent hair and insect fragments.