Hygiene, sanitation & worker safety

Here’s a TESDA- and Oud Academia–aligned module on Hygiene, Sanitation & Worker Safety (GMP Basics) for food-grade Agarwood Leaf Tea production. This is non-resin, regulatory-safe, and export-ready.


Hygiene, Sanitation & Worker Safety (GMP Basics)

Food-Grade Agarwood Leaf Tea Production


1. Core Principle

“Safe hands, clean leaves, quality tea.”

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) ensure that leaves remain food-grade, workers are safe, and the final product is compliant with FDA-PH, ASEAN, and Codex standards.


2. Worker Hygiene

Personal Hygiene

  • Wash hands thoroughly before handling leaves
  • Wear clean gloves, aprons, hair nets, and masks
  • Avoid touching face, hair, or contaminated surfaces during handling

Health Requirements

  • Workers must be free from contagious diseases
  • Report skin infections or gastrointestinal illness
  • Training on hygiene protocols mandatory

3. Sanitation Practices

Facilities & Equipment

  • Clean and disinfect drying racks, trays, and storage bins
  • Use food-grade tools (scissors, pruning shears, knives)
  • Floors and surfaces: swept and sanitized daily

Leaf Handling

  • Remove damaged, dirty, or contaminated leaves immediately
  • Avoid leaves falling on soil or wet surfaces

Water & Cleaning

  • Use potable water for washing leaves (if needed)
  • Clean drying and processing areas before and after each harvest cycle

4. Worker Safety Practices

HazardSafety Practice
Cuts / pricksUse sharp, clean tools, gloves
Slips / fallsMaintain dry, even floors
Heat / sun exposureSchedule pruning/harvesting early morning or late afternoon
Heavy liftingTrain proper lifting techniques
Chemical exposureMinimize pesticide use; provide protective clothing if needed

5. GMP Basics for Food-Grade Leaf Tea

  1. Traceability
    • Batch coding and harvest logs maintained
  2. Cross-Contamination Control
    • Keep harvested leaves separate from non-food plant parts
  3. Storage & Drying
    • Dry leaves at controlled temperature (≤50°C recommended)
    • Store in airtight, moisture-proof containers
  4. Packaging Hygiene
    • Use food-grade, tamper-evident packaging
    • Label accurately (batch, harvest date, expiration)

6. TESDA-Aligned Learning Outcomes

Learners will be able to:

  1. Apply personal hygiene protocols in the field and processing area
  2. Maintain sanitary facilities and equipment
  3. Handle leaves safely during harvest, drying, and packaging
  4. Implement basic GMP principles for food-grade herbal tea
  5. Reduce risk of contamination and workplace injuries

7. Compliance References (Philippines Context)

  • FDA-PH Food Safety Guidelines: Sanitation, traceability, packaging
  • BFAD Legacy Herbal Tea Guidelines: Clean processing areas, safe drying
  • ASEAN Codex Alignment: Worker hygiene and GMP for exported herbal teas

8. Training Disclaimer

This module is intended for food-grade agarwood leaf production only.
Resin, heartwood, or medicinal-grade products are outside this scope.


✅ Ideal For:

  • TESDA CBLM & field training modules
  • Oud Academia food safety and GMP courses
  • Plantation SOPs and compliance manuals
  • Export-ready herbal tea preparation

I can next create:

  1. A visual GMP workflow infographic for agarwood leaf processing
  2. A field checklist template for hygiene, sanitation, and worker safety
  3. Integration of GMP with traceability, contaminant control, and harvest protocols

Do you want me to make the infographic version next?