Allergen Control

Food safety and quality are paramount. For individuals with food allergies or sensitivities, the stakes are even higher.

To ensure the well-being of consumers and the integrity of their products, allergen control in food packaging and manufacturing plays a pivotal role in safeguarding against allergen cross-contact and upholding the highest standards of food safety and quality.

Allergen Control in Food Manufacturing and Packaging

Allergen-dedicated areas are engineered environments where meticulous control over allergen handling and prevention of cross-contamination is the top priority. Their significance can be highlighted through the following points:

Minimizing cross-contact risk

Allergen-controlled areas are equipped with dedicated workspaces, equipment, and tools exclusively for allergen-free products. This separation drastically reduces the chances of allergen cross-contact during packaging.

Stringent cleaning and sanitation

These areas undergo rigorous cleaning protocols to eliminate any residue that might contain allergens. This thorough sanitation ensures the highest levels of purity.

Precision handling

Trained and dedicated personnel work in allergen-controlled areas, following strict protocols for handling allergen-free ingredients. The precision and care taken at every step help prevent allergen cross-contact.

Compliance with regulations

Food safety regulations and guidelines often require food manufacturing and food handling facilities to have an effective Allergen Management program as a preventive control. Econo-Pak has a robust Allergen Management Control program, which includes dedicated allergen-controlled areas. These areas segregated areas ensure compliance with industry standards and demonstrate a commitment to consumer safety.

Maintaining product integrity

Allergen-dedicated areas contribute to maintaining the quality and reputation of food products. By eliminating cross-contact risks, brands can consistently deliver safe products for their consumers. This is also achieved by ensuring an effective label control program is implemented throughout the facility, which mitigates risks associated with incorrect labeling on the finished products.

Types of allergens we handle

While Econo-Pak does not manufacture food or add ingredients to finished products, we handle, repackage, and co-pack products that may contain major allergens. All allergens are declared by the product owner and thoroughly tracked through our allergen program. We currently handle products that may contain:

Milk
Eggs
Peanuts
Wheat
Sesame
Soybeans
Tree nuts

We continually monitor for any new allergens and update our procedures accordingly to ensure the highest level of compliance and safety.

Our allergen control program

To mitigate the risk of allergen cross-contact, we’ve developed and implemented a facility-wide allergen management system that includes:

Dedicated allergen zones and segregated storage based on declared allergen profiles
Color-coded and labeled production tools to prevent cross-use between allergen types
Validated cleaning and sanitation protocols between runs
Allergen-specific training for all employees, from line workers to quality auditors
Supplier verification processes to ensure accurate labeling and documentation

Our allergen controls are audited regularly as part of our SQF Level 3 and HACCP compliance to ensure food safety from receiving to shipping.

Enhanced air filtration in every room

Every room in our facility is equipped with hospital-grade MERV 11 air filtration, helping to reduce airborne particles and further protect against potential allergen cross-contact. This investment in air quality underscores our commitment to maintaining a clean and safe environment for every product we handle.