Carry out fresh produce packaging and preservation
Overview
This standard is about the skills and knowledge needed for you to carry out fresh produce packaging and preservation. You will need the skills and knowledge to carry out the production of packs both using relevant equipment and tools and by hand to maintain product quality and safety. You will need to check packing and the tools and equipment used, while following manual handling and health and safety procedures. You will need to understand the principles of packaging and preservation so that the techniques and methods you apply avoid damaging the product and maintain the quality demanded by customers and consumers. Understanding the principles of the packaging and how it protects and preserves product will help you understand how your own organisation produces its products to service the needs of its customers. This standard is for you if you work in food and drink manufacture and/or supply operations and are involved in production operations.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
Prepare to produce individual packs
prepare to produce individual packs following health, safety and
hygiene standards
check packing specifications within agreed timescales
set up equipment according to specification
check that there is sufficient packing material available and that it
is fit for use
check that services meet requirements
check that the product to be packed is available and fit for use
take action in response to operating problems
maintain communication with the relevant people
Carry out production of individual packs
carry out production of individual packs following health, safety
and hygiene standards
use equipment in accordance with health and safety procedures
and check that it is supplied with materials
monitor pack quality and quantity and take action in response to
defects
achieve the required quality and quantity of output within the
specified time
check that there is minimal waste
maintain communication with the relevant people
Finish production of individual packs
finish production of individual packs following health, safety and
hygiene standards
dispose of surplus consumables in compliance with company
procedures
deal with waste, scrap and non-standard products
stop the packaging run at agreed time
make equipment ready for future use after the completion of the
process
maintain communication with the relevant people
complete all documentation and records within agreed timescales
and in compliance with company procedures
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
the types of packaging available in the fresh produce sector
- what the properties are of each type of packaging and their
benefits
- how packaging is used at point of harvest and in support of
transportation
how packaging can damage fresh produce
which type of packaging is used for each type of fresh produce
how different packaging aids the preservation of fresh produce
why it is important to match packaging material to product type
the advantages of the different packaging materials used with
fresh produce
- the disadvantages of the different packaging materials used with
fresh produce
how to assess if packaging is fit for purpose
why it is important to use process packaging when handling fresh
produce
how fresh produce packaging methods optimise product quality
the storage requirements of packaging materials
the use of controlled environment as a method of preservation
and conditioning of fresh produce
- the use of Modified Atmosphere Packaging as a method of
preservation
the use of heat as a method of preservation for fresh produce
the effects of the gases used in fresh produce packaging and
preservation
- the effects of chilled environments used in fresh produce
packaging and preservation
- the effects of freezing in fresh produce packaging and
preservation
what are the possible hazards of preservation systems
the packaging requirements used in high risk zones
how the stability and shelf life of fresh produce is affected in
packaging
- how the different forms of packaging are formed from packaging
materials
how to use packaging machinery in the fresh produce sector
why automation of packing machinery is important in the packing
process
how packaging techniques have an impact on the environment
what environmental implications are of preservation techniques
the legislative requirements on labelling for the fresh produce
sector
- the voluntary requirements on labelling for the fresh produce
sector
the packaging regulations and legislation including WRAP
the key drivers of packaging costs
the advantages and disadvantages of consumer packs
how the consumer packs have a role in marketing the product