Here’s a professional, TESDA-aligned, field-ready module on Washing & Sanitation Protocols for Agarwood Leaf Tea, focusing on food-grade, non-resin leaves, and integrating GMP, hygiene, and traceability practices.
Washing & Sanitation Protocols
Food-Grade Agarwood Leaf Tea Production
1. Core Principle
“Clean leaves, safe tea.”
Proper washing and sanitation prevent microbial contamination, chemical residues, and cross-contamination, ensuring food-grade quality and regulatory compliance.
2. When to Wash Leaves
- Optional, only if leaves are visibly dirty or dusty
- Avoid washing if leaves are clean and dry, mature, and harvested in hygienic conditions
- Never wash leaves post-drying
Principle: Minimize water contact to prevent microbial growth and nutrient loss
3. Washing Protocol
Stepwise Procedure for Pre-Drying Leaf Washing:
- Preparation
- Use clean, potable water
- Prepare sanitized washing trays or tanks
- Immersion or Rinse
- Lightly immerse leaves or gently rinse under flowing water
- Avoid prolonged soaking to prevent loss of bioactive compounds
- Agitation
- Gently move leaves with clean hands or sanitized tools
- Remove visible dust, debris, and insects
- Draining
- Use sanitized sieves or trays for draining excess water
- Avoid pooling water at the bottom
- Air Drying
- Place leaves on sanitized drying racks
- Ensure adequate airflow, avoid stacking
4. Sanitation of Facilities & Equipment
| Component | Sanitation Practice |
|---|---|
| Washing trays / tanks | Rinse, scrub, disinfect with food-safe sanitizer |
| Tools (scissors, knives) | Wash, rinse, sanitize before and after use |
| Drying racks | Sweep, wipe, disinfect periodically |
| Storage containers | Wash, dry, store off-floor and away from dust |
| Worker hygiene | Wash hands, gloves, aprons before handling leaves |
Daily or per-harvest sanitation is recommended.
5. Water Quality Considerations
- Potable water only
- Check microbial contamination periodically
- Avoid stagnant or untreated water sources
Using clean water reduces risk of mycotoxins, microbial growth, and chemical residues.
6. Integration with Traceability & GMP
- Record batch number for every washed lot
- Maintain harvest logs noting washing date, personnel, and water source
- Sanitation records support GMP audits and food safety compliance
7. TESDA-Aligned Learning Outcomes
Learners will be able to:
- Identify when washing is necessary for agarwood leaves
- Apply proper washing techniques for food-grade leaves
- Sanitize tools, trays, and drying racks effectively
- Record washing and sanitation activities for traceability
- Maintain food-grade compliance for export and domestic markets
8. Regulatory References
- FDA-PH Food Safety Guidelines: Washing, sanitation, traceability
- BFAD Legacy Circulars: Herbal leaf processing and hygiene
- Codex Alimentarius / ASEAN Standards: Food handling, microbial safety
9. Training Disclaimer
This module applies exclusively to food-grade agarwood leaves.
Resin and heartwood are non-food parts and follow separate processing and regulatory pathways.
✅ Ideal For:
- TESDA CBLM & field training modules
- Oud Academia food safety and hygiene courses
- Plantation SOPs and audit-ready documentation
- Export-ready herbal tea preparation
I can next create:
- A visual infographic of washing & sanitation workflow
- A fillable field checklist for sanitation activities
- Integration with traceability, batch coding, and GMP modules
Do you want me to make the washing & sanitation workflow infographic next?