A single pathogen positive is a serious event. Repeated positives – or a contamination issue that keeps recurring in a different form – are a signal that something structural in your food safety system is not working. Produco has worked through some of the most complex pathogen investigations in NZ food manufacturing. We find the root cause, fix the system, and give you confidence that the issue will not come back.
Pathogen And Contamination Issues
- Environmental monitoring is returning positive Listeria, Salmonella, or other pathogen results
- Product testing has returned a positive result – whether detected internally, by a customer, or in the market
- You have had a customer complaint involving foreign material, physical contamination, or alleged illness
- You have had repeated contamination events that have been corrected individually, but keep returning
- Your HACCP programme identifies a CCP for pathogen control, but your monitoring records or validation evidence are incomplete
- You are unsure whether a positive result needs to be notified to MPI or triggers a recall obligation
- You have recently changed a process or supplier and are now seeing contamination results you did not have before
How Produco Investigates and Resolves Pathogen Issues
Produco works alongside food manufacturers to quickly assess the risk, determine immediate obligations, identify the source of contamination, and implement effective corrective actions. Our structured investigation process not only resolves the immediate issue but also helps strengthen your food safety systems to reduce the risk of future incidents.
Immediate Triage and Notification Advice
If you have an active positive result, the first question is whether you have a notification obligation to MPI and whether any product hold, withdrawal, or recall is required. We advise you immediately on what your obligations are and what you need to do right now.
Root Cause Investigation
We conduct a structured root cause investigation, examining your HACCP controls, environmental monitoring programme, cleaning and sanitation procedures, supplier management, personnel practices, and facility design. We do not stop at the immediate source. We find the systemic cause.
HACCP and Control System Review
We review your HACCP programme against the contamination pathway identified in the investigation. Where critical control points are inadequate, prerequisite programmes are missing, or monitoring is insufficient, we fix them.
Environmental Monitoring Programme
If your environmental monitoring programme is not detecting contamination before it reaches the product, we redesign it – sampling points, frequency, testing methods, and response protocols.
Corrective Action and Validation
We build and implement a corrective action plan that addresses the root cause, validates that the fix has worked, and provides the documented evidence your verifier needs to see.
MPI and Regulatory Liaison
Where the situation involves MPI notification, investigation support, or a formal corrective action submission, we manage that communication.
Why Produco
We combine deep HACCP knowledge, senior-level investigation expertise, and strong regulatory understanding to help food businesses respond quickly, meet their obligations, and resolve issues with confidence.
Proven Experience
Experience with some of NZ’s most complex pathogen investigations across dairy, food and beverage, meat, and honey
HACCP Expertise
Lead auditor qualified with deep HACCP expertise
Senior Expertise
Senior team – root cause investigation in a contamination situation is not a task for a junior consultant
MPI Support
MPI relationships – we understand notification obligations and how to communicate with regulators in a contamination event
Rapid Response
Available for emergency support – call 07 392 5711 if the situation is active
Whatever the Problem, We'll Help You Fix It.
Produco helps you identify the problem, implement the solution, and get your business back on track.