Essential New Technical Considerations for Food Manufacturing Facility Design and Construction
Food manufacturing businesses operate in one of the most highly regulated industries, where compliance with evolving standards is critical for success. The “British Retail Consortium’s Global Standards (BRCGS) Food Safety – Issue 9” represents the latest benchmark for hygiene, safety, and operational efficiency. For manufacturers, understanding and addressing these requirements is not just about end-to-end compliance but also about safeguarding their reputation and ensuring operational excellence.
Key Updates in BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9
Recent changes in BRCGS-Issue 9 focus on reinforcing safety, sustainability, and operational best practices. Key updates include:
- Stronger Emphasis on Food Safety Culture: Leadership is expected to take an active role in promoting safety as a company-wide priority.
- Enhanced HACCP Requirements: Greater focus on hazard analysis and mitigation across all processes.
- Improved Traceability Standards: Robust systems are required to track products and raw materials throughout the supply chain.
- Detailed Guidance on Production Risk Zones: High-risk, high-care, and ambient high-care zones must be effectively segregated and managed.
- Sustainability Integration: Facilities must incorporate measures like waste reduction and energy efficiency to align with environmental goals.
Hygiene is at the core of food manufacturing facility design. Businesses must adopt materials and systems that prevent contamination and ensure cleanability. Seamless resin flooring and antibacterial wall panels help minimize microbial growth, while advanced drainage systems reduce contamination risks.
With sustainability now a regulatory and consumer priority, food manufacturers must integrate eco-friendly practices into their operations. Using recycled materials, optimising energy use with technologies such as heat recovery systems, and implementing advanced recycling systems are effective ways to meet Net Zero targets while enhancing operational efficiency.
Upgrades and maintenance in “live” environments are often unavoidable. Phased construction planning and robust safety protocols can minimize disruptions to production while ensuring worker and product safety. These measures require detailed planning and risk management expertise, which are often best achieved by engaging specialists experienced in working within operational facilities.
Modern food production demands facilities equipped to accommodate much more automation, robotics, and IoT systems for streamlined operations. Temperature-controlled storage solutions and digital traceability systems that provide real-time oversight and regulatory compliance are essential components of future-proof facility design.
As facilities age, businesses must prioritise food-safety compliance with evolving fire safety standards and structural integrity requirements. Addressing issues such as RAAC, failing factory envelopes, and upgrading fire prevention, resilience, detection and suppression systems not only ensures regulatory compliance but also enhances safety for employees and operations.
Ambrey Baker has over 35 years of experience delivering turnkey solutions for safety-critical environments, including food manufacturing facilities. Our expertise spans regulatory compliance, sustainability, and operational efficiency. We specialise in designing, repairing, maintaining and constructing facilities that meet BRCGS standards, with a proven track record of working in” live 24/7” environments without disrupting production.
To meet the challenges of BRCGS compliance, manufacturers must familiarize themselves with the latest standards, audit their facilities, and develop a roadmap for improvements. Engaging experts who understand the complexities of regulated environments ensures that every aspect of the facility aligns with operational goals and compliance requirements.
Ambrey Baker is ready to help. From initial assessments and audit works to full-scale upgrades, we deliver solutions that position your business for long-term success coupled with improved resilience and compliance.
Contact us to learn how we can support you:
matt.waldeck@ambreybaker.co.uk
www.ambreybaker.co.uk
