HACCP and DAP Plan Development

14 Questions

What is the primary purpose of this section?

To describe potential hazards and defects at individual processing steps

What is unique about bivalve molluscs species?

They can survive for extended periods out of water and can be traded for human consumption as live animals

Why is it undesirable to trade bivalve molluscs as live animals after spawning?

Because it becomes impracticable to handle them

What is the main hazard known for the production of bivalve molluscs?

Microbiological contamination of the water

Why do molluscs concentrate contaminants to a higher degree than the surrounding seawater?

Because they are filter feeders

What determines the process requirements for further processing of bivalve molluscs?

The level of contamination in the growing area

What can induce spawning in bivalve molluscs?

Stress

Why are some species of bivalve molluscs best handled as chilled products or processed?

Because they soon die out of water

What is a potential source of contamination in agricultural runoff and sewage?

Enteric bacterial and viral pathogens

What is a type of serious poisoning that can be caused by biotoxins produced by some algae?

Diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP)

What type of pathogens can occur naturally in the environment?

Vibrio spp.

What is a potential hazard in certain areas, in addition to biotoxins and pathogens?

Chemical substances, such as heavy metals, pesticides and organochlorides

What is another type of serious poisoning that can be caused by biotoxins produced by some algae?

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP)

What type of poisoning is caused by azaspiracid (AZP)?

Poisoning caused by azaspiracid (AZP)

Study Notes

Hazard Analysis and Control Measures

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and Defect Action Point (DAP) plans require consultation with Section 5 for guidance on application principles.
The scope of this Code does not provide details on critical limits, monitoring, record-keeping, and verification for each step, as these are specific to each hazard or defect.

Bivalve Molluscs

Bivalve molluscs species, such as oysters, mussels, manila and hard shell clams, can survive for extended periods out of water and are traded for human consumption as live animals.
Other species like cockles can be traded live if carefully handled, but are normally processed.
Species not adapted to dry conditions soon die out of water and are best handled as chilled products or processed.

Hazards in Bivalve Molluscs Production

The main hazard is microbiological contamination of the water in which they grow, especially when intended to be eaten live or raw.
Molluscs concentrate contaminants to a much higher degree than in the surrounding seawater due to being filter feeders.
Contamination with bacteria and viruses in the growing area is critical for end-product specification and determines process requirements for further processing.

Health Risks

Gastro-enteritis and other serious diseases, such as hepatitis, can occur due to agricultural runoff and/or sewage contamination with enteric bacterial and/or viral pathogens.
Hazards also include biotoxins produced by some algae, causing various forms of serious poisoning like diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP), paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP), amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), or poisoning caused by azaspiracid (AZP).
Chemical substances, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and organochlorides, and petrochemical substances may also present hazards in certain areas.

Processing Steps

Relaying, processing to reduce or limit target organisms, classification, and monitoring of growing areas, harvesting, transportation, reception, washing/declumping/debyssing/grading, shucking/hand & mechanical shucking/heat shock, raw packaging and labelling, raw storage, and distribution/transportation are key processing steps.