Designation:F1278−96(Reapproved2015)StandardGuideforUseandHandlingofFlexibleRetortFoodPouchesintheProcessingEnvironment1ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF1278;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginaladoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscriptepsilon(´)indicatesaneditorialchangesincethelastrevisionorreapproval.1.Scope1.1Thisguideisrecommendedforusebyallproducersoffoodinretortpouches.Adherencetothisguidewillhelppreventdamagetothepouchesbypreventingandavoidingknowncausesofdamagethatoccurintheprocessingenviron-ment.1.2ThisguideforflexibleretortfoodpouchesisbasedontherecommendationsofataskforcecreatedbytheDepartmentoftheArmyin1986.2ThepurposeofthetaskforcewastodeterminethepossiblecausesofholesinpouchesoffoodproductproducedforoperationalrationsfortheDepartmentofDefenseatthattime.Membersofthetaskforcevisitedseveralfoodprocessorstoobserveandevaluatemanufacturingmeth-odscommonlybeingusedforprocessingretortpouches.Therecommendationsinthisguideshouldbeusefulasthebasisforgoodmanufacturingpracticesandemployeetrainingprogramsusedbyfoodpouchprocessors.31.3Thisstandardmayinvolvehazardousmaterials,operations,andequipment.Thisstandarddoesnotpurporttoaddressallofthesafetyconcernsassociatedwithitsuse.Itistheresponsibilityoftheuserofthisstandardtoestablishappropriatesafetyandhealthpracticesanddeterminetheapplicabilityofregulatorylimitationspriortouse.2.Terminology2.1Definitions:2.1.1defect—anydamagetoaflexiblepouchthatwouldallowtheentranceofforeignsubstancesortheescapeofthepouchcontents.2.1.2flexibleretortfoodpouch—aflatcontainerformedfromflexiblematerials,sometimeslaminatedwithalayerofmetallicorotherbarriermaterial.Itisdesignedtobehermeti-callysealed,compatiblewiththethermalsterilizationprocess,andtoprotectthecontainedfoodfromrecontamination.Becauseofthegenerallyflatprofilewhenfilled,theproductmaybeeasilyreheated.2.1.3retortracks—compartmentedshelf-likeracksintende...
