indicator goingdeeppurplewithin120 seconds, if the surface is unclean.The
advantagesof the stripapproach compared withthe swabare simplicity and
lowercosts of productionand transport.Thereis also some indicationthat these
test strips can be usefulin assessing the effectivenessof hand-washing.As with
all the rapid chemical tests, no conclusion regarding the absence of
microorganismscan be inferredfroma negative test.
36.4 Monitoring/sampling protocolsand strategies
36.4.1 Protocols
It mustbe recognised thatdevelopinga monitoringprotocol or strategyis
pointless if cleaningitselfis poorlyimplementedand managed.In recognition
that no one idealtest exists, the combiningof test methodsintoa coherent
protocol,relevant to a business, as part of a consistentapproachto plant
sanitationis recommended (Figs 36.7and 36.8).The extent,structure and use of
suchprotocolsare likelyto be dependenton the plant, the cleaningmethods
used,the levelof risk associatedwiththe product and the sophisticationof the
Fig. 36.7 Stagesin an integratedcleaningmonitoringprogramme± no microbiological
facilities(foodservice,retail,smallprocessor).
608 Handbookof hygiene controlin the foodindustry