Entrepreneur Vinayak Shastry co-founded Ember Valley in 2017 and took the responsibilities of CEO in 2019. Under the leadership of Vinayak Shastry, Ember Valley became the leading independent cannabis brand in California within eight months of its introduction to the market. Ember Valley maintains two cultivation facilities that can produce 27,000 pounds of cannabis per year.
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) is the accepted worldwide standard for product safety in manufacturing. HACCP helps identify and address a critical control point (CCP), which refers to the point at which a loss of control has the potential for risks. Under HACCP, pathogen environmental monitoring (PEM) is the tool used to identify CCPs in cannabis cultivation facilities.
Here are the steps for the effective implementation of PEM:
1. The Food and Drug Administration collects at least 100 samples from the cannabis facility. These serve as the baseline for PEM.
2. Identifying cannabis contact surfaces (CCS) and non-CCS helps show where the contaminants may originate. Examples of CCS are tables, belts, and clippers. Examples of non-CCS are floors, lighting, and drains.
3. Based on the results of the first two steps, the time and places to repeatedly collect samples are identified and executed. Random samples of all areas are necessary for comprehensive coverage.
4. If PEM test results say that a facility is positive for pathogens, retesting is performed in areas where pathogens were located. The facility operator implements protocols such as deep cleaning and installation of remediation devices.
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) is the accepted worldwide standard for product safety in manufacturing. HACCP helps identify and address a critical control point (CCP), which refers to the point at which a loss of control has the potential for risks. Under HACCP, pathogen environmental monitoring (PEM) is the tool used to identify CCPs in cannabis cultivation facilities.
Here are the steps for the effective implementation of PEM:
1. The Food and Drug Administration collects at least 100 samples from the cannabis facility. These serve as the baseline for PEM.
2. Identifying cannabis contact surfaces (CCS) and non-CCS helps show where the contaminants may originate. Examples of CCS are tables, belts, and clippers. Examples of non-CCS are floors, lighting, and drains.
3. Based on the results of the first two steps, the time and places to repeatedly collect samples are identified and executed. Random samples of all areas are necessary for comprehensive coverage.
4. If PEM test results say that a facility is positive for pathogens, retesting is performed in areas where pathogens were located. The facility operator implements protocols such as deep cleaning and installation of remediation devices.
