CFA is focused on chilled food-specific issues. CFA Members have access to the following areas of work:-
Best Practice Guidance
Hygiene and food safety assurance
Raw material controls
Factory management
Product design
- CFA Best Practice Guidelines for the Production of Chilled Foods (2006) - 4th edition
- Microbiological Guidance for Growers (2007) - 2nd edition
- Fire Risk Minimisation Guidance (2007) - Food Industry Panels Group and AIRMIC
- Microbiological Testing: Purpose and Interpretation (2006) - 2nd edition
- EU Microbiological Criteria Regulation 2073/2005 - Practical Implementation Guidance (2006) - v1.2
- Water Quality Management Guidelines (2006) - 2nd edition
- Veterinary Residues Management Guidance (2004)
- European Chilled Food Federation Guidelines (2006) - 2nd edition
- Pesticides Due Diligence Guidance
- Hygienic Design Guidelines
- Packaging Hygiene Guidelines for High Risk foods
- Guidelines for Microwaveable Products
Research
- Funding fundamental research
- Developing and promoting industry research priorities and promotion to researchers (e.g. research associations, institutes, universities) and funders (e.g. Government)
- Co-ordinating members' voting on CCFRA panel-funded research proposals relevant to chilled food
- Monitoring and reporting to members of research relevant to chilled food in the UK and internationally
Environmental pathogens
- Guidance on controls: CFAs Microbiological Guidance for Growers (short title)
- LINK attachment of pathogens to cut produce surfaces (2005-8)
- Protocols for produce washing and washwater decontamination efficacy assessment
- Expert input into Government research projects
- ECFF VTEC Working Group - aiming to break the cycle of contamination in the field, to protect raw material quality. Reviewed organic waste usage and treatments across EU - report presented in March 1999 to European Commission and March 2000 to Scientific Committee for Food. SCF report issued April 2002.
- Helping shape draft CODEX Code on primary production of produce and fresh cut produce.
Sustainability
- Sustainable Development Working Group
- Member of DEFRA's Champions Group on Waste
- Member of DEFRA-sponsored Imperial College Waste PhD Board
- Member of DEFRA-funded lean manufacturing project Board
- Range of DEFRA co-sponsored workshops
- Waste mapping exercise
Members click here for more.
Training
- Food Safety and Hygiene Training Guidance for Multicultural Environments (in progress)
- CFA Handwash poster (English, Polish and Portuguese versions)
- CFA Standard for Temporary Operatives issued to members and recruitment agencies September 1999
- Hygiene requirements for contractors issued September 1999
Alert & Incident Management System
- Up to the minute guidance, information and incident support
- Forewarning on chill-specific and industry wide alerts, e.g. supply chain issues, foodborne disease outbreaks, residues issues
- Frequent e-mailed alerts and bulletins on all industry issues and key media activity
- Confidential Government/agency liaison
Others
- Events and meetings with key retailers and senior civil servants
- Programme of visits of manufacturing facilities for civil servants
- Programmed meetings with other sectoral organisations, enforcement bodies
- Direct representation to Government, e.g. FSA, DEFRA, Commons Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Committee
- Direct input into the development of regulation and Government guidance impacting on chill
Next meetings
Members can check dates of forthcoming CFA meetings by clicking here.
