Food Assessment Tool FAT 1 0 Vinay Kumar

Food Assessment Tool (FAT 1. 0) Vinay Kumar V Nerella Akhil Kadiyala Dr. Ashok Kumar Department of Civil Engineering

Objectives Ø Create a pollution prevention tool to facilitate food processing facilities determine if they are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Ø Develop a user friendly tool that can award an index/score to each section of the facility that helps in better understanding of the improvements that can be made in different avenues. Ø To help the food facility understand the degree of compliance achieved and know areas of concern. Ø Provide alternative approaches for completing the task energy efficiently.

Methodology Ø FAT 1. 0 is developed based on the knowledge obtained from literature. Ø The tool is developed based on simple YES/NO/Not Applicable questions. Ø Points are allotted to all questions that are related to standard practices and regulations. Ø Recommendations are provided wherever necessary to make the facility compliant with regulations.

Tool Development Ø FAT 1. 0 is developed to give a performance index to food processing facilities and provide suggestions on how to improve in certain areas of concern. Ø The tool developed consists of different sections for different areas of the facility. Ø Points are allotted to each question if they are compliant with the applicable laws and regulations. Ø Total scores in each section are summarized towards the end of each section so that areas that need immediate attention could be identified.

Sections in P 2 E 2 Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Packaging Waste Composting Clean-Up Procedures Preventive Maintenance Pesticide Use Food Banks Air Quality Regulations Drinking Water Waste Water Energy Use Ø Waste Management Ø Storage and Transportation Ø Environmental Emergencies Ø Environmental Contamination Ø Pollution Prevention Techniques Ø Storm Water

Home Page of FAT 1. 0

Questions on Packaging Waste Ø Reduction, reuse, and recycling of materials. Ø Labeling of products. Ø Policies and procedures dealing with waste. Ø Employee training.

Screenshot of Packaging Waste

Questions on Composting Ø On-site composting. Ø Food waste composting facilities. Ø Landfill. Ø Food by-products for local farmers.

Screenshot of Composting

Questions on Waste Supply Ø Public/private water supply. Ø Drinking water standards. Ø On-site sewage system. Ø Water meters.

Screenshot of Water Supply

Questions on Waste Management Ø Liquid industrial waste. Ø Hazardous waste. Ø Universal waste. Ø Recyclables.

Screenshot of Waste Management

Questions on Pest Control Ø Pesticide application. Ø Pesticide certifications. Ø Integrated pest management plan. Ø Monthly surveys.

Screenshot of Pest Control

Questions on Spill Prevention Ø Storage and transfer areas. Ø Spill prevention control and countermeasure (SPCC) plan. Ø Certification. Ø Review.

Screenshot of Spill Prevention

Questions on Preventive Maintenance Ø Storage and work areas Ø Equipment performance Ø Water conserving program Ø Employee training

Screenshot of Preventive Maintenance

Questions on Clean-Up Procedures Ø Edible and inedible food waste. Ø Spillage. Ø High pressure sprays. Ø Multiple purpose cleaners.

Screenshot of Clean-Up Procedures

Questions on Storage and Transportation Ø Storage area. Ø Ventilation. Ø Renewable fuels. Ø Monthly inspection. Ø Regulatory requirements.

Screenshot of Storage and Transportation

Questions on Food Banks Ø Shelter or soup kitchens. Ø Local health authorities. Ø Potentially hazardous food.

Screenshot of Food Banks

Questions on Food Contamination Ø Health problems. Ø Cleanliness. Ø Equipment maintenance.

Screenshot of Food Contamination

Questions on Air Quality Regulations Ø Process that create air pollution. Ø Environmental stewardship. Ø New source performance standard (NSPS).

Screenshot on Air Quality Regulations

Questions on Air Pollution Control Ø Air emission sources. Ø Asbestos notification. Ø Open burning.

Screenshot on Air Pollution Control

Questions on P 2 Techniques Ø Operating conditions. Ø Renewable fuels. Ø Alternative methods.

Screenshot of P 2 Techniques

Question on Energy Use Ø Energy Efficient ways. Ø Energy audit.

Screenshot of Energy Use

Questions on Storm Water Ø Storm water pollution

Screenshot on Storm Water

Evaluation Method Ø The total score of the facility is obtained by adding all the sectional scores.

Screenshot of Suggestions Sheet

Conclusion Ø A simple pollution prevention and energy efficient assessment tool has been developed for the food industry using Yes/No/Not Applicable questions. Ø The tool provides a summary of all the sections that a food processing facility deals with and provides necessary recommendations for pollution prevention and energy efficiency. Ø The sectional score helps in the detailed evaluation of compliance related issues and take corrective measures to become compliance.