IMPFP109 – Control fish or shellfish defrosting

 

Overview 

 

This standard is about the defrosting of fish or shellfish as part of a processing operation. It details the skills and knowledge required to set-up and maintain the defrosting process. It is also about working to product specifications and production schedules.

You must be able to prepare to and defrost fish or shellfish including confirming specification. You must also be able to complete the defrosting process including the monitoring of the defrosting process.

This standard is for you if you work in fish or shellfish processing and are involved in the control of defrosting.

 

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

 

Prepare to defrost fish/shellfish

1.         prepare to defrost fish/shellfish according to the legal or regulatory requirements, the organisational health and safety, hygiene and environmental standards and instructions

2.         obtain and confirm defrosting specification

3.         prepare defrosting facilities and work area into a condition suitable for receiving fish/shellfish

4.         take action in response to operating problems

5.         maintain communication

 

Defrost fish/shellfish

6.         operate to the legal or regulatory requirements, the organisational health and safety, hygiene and environmental standards and instructions

7.         obtain frozen fish/shellfish according to requirements of the defrosting specification

8.         establish frozen fish/shellfish in defrosting facility

9.         establish, monitor and maintain defrosting process according to defrosting specification

10.       handle and store fish/shellfish in a manner which maintains quality and condition

11.       maintain condition of work area throughout process

12.       remove defrosted fish/shellfish from defrosting facility, label and transfer to the next stage in the process

13.       take action in response to operating problems

14.       maintain communication

 

Finish defrosting process

15.       finish defrosting according to the legal or regulatory requirements, the organisational health and safety, hygiene and environmental standards and instructions

16.       dispose of waste material according to organisational procedures

17.       make defrosting facilities and work area ready for future use, on completion of the process

18.       maintain communication

19.       complete all records

 

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand

 

1.         what the legal or regulatory requirements, the organisational health and safety, hygiene and environmental standards and instructions are and what may happen if they are not followed

2.         the facilities required to defrost fish/shellfish

3.         how to obtain and interpret the defrosting specifications

4.         how to prepare defrosting facilities for operation

5.         how to assess the quality of frozen fish/shellfish and fish products

6.         common quality problems and their likely causes

7.         the facilities and methods used to defrost fish/shellfish

8.         the process requirements for the controlled defrosting of fish/shellfish

9.         how and why it is important to monitor the defrosting process

10.       how defrosted fish/shellfish should be handled to maintain condition and quality

11.       the importance of following organisational procedures

12.       handling methods that maintain the condition of fish/shellfish

13.       labelling and traceability relevant to the defrosting of fish/shellfish

14.       what action to take when the process specification is not met

15.       how to dispose of waste and why it is important to do so

16.       the limits of your own authority and competence and why it is important to work within those limits

17.       what recording, reporting and communication is needed, how to carry this out and the reasons why it is important to do so 

 

Keywords:  Fish; Shellfish; Frozen; Defrost; Defrosting; Process; Processing; Hygiene.