Fact Sheet
WINEMAKING Bottling line microbiological audit /201337496692?
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Why is it important? Introduction Wine spoilage microorganisms are found in Packaging is an important step in the wine numerous locations around packaging production process that strongly influences facilities, and may easily be introduced into the integrity of wine that reaches consumers. bottling lines through inadequate sanitation If microbial contamination occurs during procedures, flaws in infrastructure or packaging it may not only result in off-flavours procedures and running contaminated but can also cause hazes and deposits, both products through the line. of which negatively affect consumer perception. Each year the AWRI helpdesk is These spoilage microorganisms continue to contacted about packaging-related microbial present difficulties for bottling facilities, spoilage issues such as filter failures, especially with favourable conditions refermentation in bottle and sporadic yeast or resulting from a shift towards higher sugar bacterial growth. The worst cases of such levels and lower alcohol wines. problems can result in costly product recalls and brand damage.
In response to these issues, AWRI Commercial Services is now offering microbiological audits of bottling lines. The audits involve testing bottling lines for sterility at Critical Control Points (CCPs) to help identify potential risk areas that could lead to contamination Yeast cell viewed under the microscope (left) and problems. microbial growth on agar plate grown from a sample taken from a bottling line (right).
Updated October 2017 Fact Sheet
WINEMAKING Additionally, insufficient Quality Assurance • Identification of design and (QA) sampling regimes and/or methods can infrastructure risks (e.g. degraded o- mask an underlying sterility problem, giving rings, unused valves) an artificial impression that everything is OK. /201337496692? It is essential that any QA regime is robust • Testing of up to six inputs to the enough to ensure that all maintenance and packaging line (wine, rinse water, dry cleaning-in-place (CIP) operations are pt=LH_DefaultDogoods, etc.) for the presence of viable effective in controlling the risk of microbes microbiological contamination. main_15&var=&h• Swabbing of up to 40 points throughout An independent audit can provide the line and plating out of the swabs to confidence and assurance that current test for viable microbes microbiological contamination management ash=item2ee0a6 The ideal time to conduct the audit is procedures are proficient, or alternatively immediately after a full sterilisation provide vital information to enable risks to be procedure. For a thorough assessment, it is reduced. Rather than accepting and 6474 preferable to gain access to internal attempting to manage sporadic yet ongoing surfaces of the bottling line to ensure contamination problems, the identification of representative sampling. While not essential, the root cause of contamination and it is also ideal if in-house staff can be available subsequent rectification will prove to be far to assist this sampling. more cost effective in the long term. Deliverables include:
• Executive summary
• List of recommended actions for improvement and ongoing management.
• Quantified swab and sterility test results.
Images of contaminating microbes isolated from bottling lines. • Images of contaminants at visual and microscopic level.
What does a microbiological audit involve? Additional support available includes:
The service involves completion of the • Microbiological identification following tasks for a bottling line: • Additional swab and sterility tests • Review of past/current issues • Chemical analysis of standard wine • Evaluation of current sanitisation parameters methods and practices • Ongoing routine sterility surveillance • Identification of design and infrastructure risks (e.g. degraded o- • Support with the implementation or rings, unused valves) optimisation of QA protocols
Updated October 2017 Fact Sheet
WINEMAKING • Support with the reconfiguration of packaging infrastructure • Oxygen management audits /201337496692?
How much does an audit cost? pt=LH_DefaultDo The standard service costs $2,940 excluding GST, additional tests, travel and accommodation costs if required. main_15&var=&h Customised services to meet specific needs are available upon request. ash=item2ee0a6 All information will remain commercial in confidence. 6474
Contact
For further information, please contact:
Commercial Services
Phone 08 8313 6600 Fax 08 8313 6601
Email [email protected]
Website http://www.awri.com.au/commercial_services/ packaging/
Address Wine Innovation Central Building, Corner of Hartley Grove & Paratoo Rd, Urrbrae (Adelaide), SA 5064
Updated October 2017