can be usedto validatecleaningand provideongoing datafor trendanalysis.
This can be a powerful management tool and identify, for example, areaswhere
cleaning is often/regularly poorly performed, staff who are not cleaning
appropriately, effectivenessof changesin cleaningpractices. The resultscan be
linkedto foodend-product counts, staffrotas,shiftpatterns,etc. Cumulatively
this can helpto make cleaning and monitoring as cost effective as possible ±
maximumeffectivenessfor minimumcost.
36.5 Future trends
Withthe adventof rapid techniques,the introduction of HACCP, allergen
concerns and other factors, the importanceand needto assesscleanliness has
changed overthe years since1990.Thishas coincidedwiththe emergenceof a
number of pathogenswitha low minimuminfectious dose.It is therefore likely
thatassessingcleanlinesswillbecomemore importantand evolve to meet
changing requirementsin the teststhat are used,how they can be integratedinto
an holistic approach, and the results in relation to legislation, referencevalues or
other needs.
An alwaysimportantfactoris cost,especiallyas the extentof testingneedsto
be reviewed in relation to the benefitsthat can be achieved. Suchanalyses(see
Fig.36.11)should consider the failurecosts,i.e. costs associatedwithpoor
cleaningas wellas the costsof testing.Cleaningshoulddelivervalue, i.e. clean
surfacesin relationto costand risk. Futuredevelopmentsare likelyto see a
further reduction in the costs of rapid test detection instruments and or
Fig. 36.11 Costbenefitsof monitoringcleaning.614 Handbookof hygiene controlin the foodindustry