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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Operate and control the forming, filling and hermetic sealing of plastic sachets or bags for food products 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
9130  Operate and control the forming, filling and hermetic sealing of plastic sachets or bags for food products 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Food 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 2  NQF Level 02  10 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2004-10-13  2005-11-30  SAQA 0556/04 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2006-11-30   2009-11-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard is replaced by: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
120256  Operate and control the forming, filling and hermetic sealing of plastic sachets or bags for food products  Level 3  NQF Level 03  10   
242785  Operate a forming, filling and sealing process on a food automated packaging line  Level 4  NQF Level 04  18   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
A person credited with this unit standard is able to
  • demonstrate knowledge of packaging of food or beverage products in plastic sachets or bags
  • prepare to pack a food or beverage product in plastic sachets or bags
  • pack a food or beverage product hermetically in plastic sachets or bags
  • perform end of packaging procedures.

    This unit standard is for anyone who works in a food or beverage manufacturing facility and needs to pack a food or beverage product hermetically in plastic sachets or bags

    This unit will contribute to the full development of the learner within the food or beverage manufacturing and packaging environment by providing recognition, further mobility and transportability within the field of manufacturing and assembly. The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this unit standard are essential for social and economic transformation and upliftment within the food or beverage manufacturing and packaging environment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Description of required skills:
    Cleaning procedures, handling of equipment and chemicals.
    Representative sample taking for quality control purposes. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The scope of this unit standard is for any person who has to pack a food or beverage product hermetically in plastic sachets or bags

    .The context of this unit standard is hermetic sealing refers to the packaging of food or beverage products in air-tight containers and not necessarily aseptically

    The level assigned to this unit standard is appropriate because the process is moderate in range, established and familiar and offers clear choices of routine responses. The learning demand employs basic operational knowledge and readily available information. The application of this unit standard is to qualify the person for certification in sub-trades. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of packaging of food products in plastic sachets or bags. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The functions of packaging of food or beverage products in plastic sachets or bags are explained according to standard food or beverage principles. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The explanation refers to:
  • Protection of the product,
  • Marketing of the product,
  • Hygiene and safety aspects.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The requirements for packaging of food or beverage products in plastic sachets or bags are identified according to standard food or beverage principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The composition of the material used for the manufacturing of plastic sachets or bags is described according to standard packaging principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The principles regarding forming, filling and hermetic sealing of plastic sachets or bags are described according to standard packaging principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Non-destructive quality control tests for packaging in plastic sachets or bags are described according to standard food or beverage principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The importance of quality control tests is described according to standard food or beverage principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. The operating principles of the sachet or bag packaging machine are described according to standard packaging principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    8. The components of the sachet or bag packaging machine are identified and the purpose of each component is explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare to pack a food product in plastic sachets or bags. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Personal preparation is done according to standard operating procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Personal preparation refers to practices that ensure hygiene, personal and product safety.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The production schedule packaging is interpreted within scope of work. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The work area is prepared according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The packaging material and product are received and maintained according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Shortages in packaging material and product are reported according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The product is released for packaging according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. The packaging equipment is sanitised according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    8. The packaging parameters are set according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    9. The date coding parameters are set according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
    10. The packaging equipment is started up according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 11 
    11. Common start-up problems are solved in line with standard operating procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Problem solving includes:
  • Recognition of signs of problems,
  • Identification of common problems, their causes and methods for prevention,
  • Description of the consequences of the problem.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 12 
    12. A sample is taken of the product according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 13 
    13. A conclusion is drawn on the conformance of the product to compositional specifications and hence its suitability to be packed. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Pack a food product hermetically in plastic sachets or bags. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Pack continuously for 30 minutes at an acceptable packaging rate, at the correct volume and without product leakage. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The packaging plant is operated and controlled according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The sachets or bags are filled and sealed according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Packaging parameters are controlled and recorded according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Where packaging equipment is operated simultaneously with other production processes, the filling and sealing process is synchronized according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Filled and sealed sachets or bags meet site-specifications. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Perform end of packaging procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The equipment is shut down according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Sub-standard filled and sealed sachets or bags are handled according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The work area and the equipment are cleaned and sanitised according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Cleaning equipment and materials are stored in designated areas according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Waste from the cleaning process is handled and dispatched according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Records are kept according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. The equipment and area are left in a safe and ready to use condition. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Pack a food or beverage product hermetically in plastic sachets or bags. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Pack continuously for 30 minutes at an acceptable packaging rate, at the correct weight or volume and without product and packaging material wastage
    Perform 1 product and 1 packaging material changeovers 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The packaging plant is operated and controlled according to standard operating procedures 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The sachets or bags are filled and sealed according to standard operating procedures 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Packaging parameters are controlled and recorded according to standard operating procedures 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Where packaging equipment is operated simultaneously with other production processes, the filling and sealing process is synchronized according to standard operating procedures 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Filled and sealed sachets or bags meet site-specifications. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Prepare to pack a food or beverage product in plastic sachets or bags 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Personal preparation is done according to standard operating procedures 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Personal preparation refers to practices that ensure hygiene, personal and product safety.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The production schedule packaging is interpreted within scope of work 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The work area is prepared according to standard operating procedures 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The packaging material and product are received and maintained according to standard operating procedures 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Shortages in packaging material and product are reported according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The product is released for packaging according to standard operating procedures 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. The packaging equipment is sanitised according to standard operating procedures 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    8. The packaging parameters are set according to standard operating procedures 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    9. The date coding parameters are set according to standard operating procedures 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
    10. The packaging equipment is started up according to standard operating procedures 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 11 
    11. Common start up problems are solved in line with standard operating procedures 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Problem solving includes
  • Recognition of signs of problems
  • Identification of common problems, their causes and methods for prevention
  • Description of the consequences of the problem
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Internal moderation.
  • External moderation.
  • An assessor, accredited by the relevant ETQA, will assess the learner`s competency.
  • Assessment procedures will be supplied by the ETQA in alignment with NSB requirements.
  • All assessment activities must be fair, so that all candidates have equal opportunities. Activities must be free of gender, ethnic or other bias.
  • Questions and answers to determine theoretical knowledge are expected.
  • Examination of an assessment portfolio.
  • Reporting skills are demonstrated by effective communication, using verbal (language) and/or writing skills.
  • Direct observation in simulated or actual work conditions.
  • Practical demonstration of packaging of a food product in plastic sachets or bags. Packaging must take place continuously for 30 minutes at an acceptable packaging rate, at the correct volume and without product leakage. This unit standard can be assessed with first line operational maintenance and process control unit standards. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Embedded knowledge is reflected within the assessment criteria of each specific outcome. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which response displays that responsible decisions, using critical and creative thinking, have been made by:
  • Identifying and solving problems within scope of work.

    Evident in the following Specific Outcome:
  • Prepare to pack a food product in plastic sachets or bags. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community.

    Evident in all Specific Outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively by:
  • Preparing for packaging.

    Evident in the following Specific Outcome:
  • Prepare to pack a food product in plastic sachets or bags. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information by:
  • Taking samples and evaluating it for acceptability to be packed.

    Evident in the following Specific Outcome:
  • Prepare to pack a food product in plastic sachets or bags. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively by using mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations by:
  • Keeping records.

    Evident in the following Specific Outcomes:
  • Pack a food product hermetically in plastic sachets or bags.
  • Perform end of packaging procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by:
  • Applying knowledge of plastic sachet packaging to pack a food or beverage product effectively, safely and productively.

    Evident in all Specific Outcomes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large.

    Evident in all Specific Outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard has been replaced by unit standard 242785, which is "Operate a forming, filling and sealing process on a food automated packaging line", level 4, 18 credits.

    This unit standard has been replaced by unit standard 120256, which is " Operate and control the forming, filling and hermetic sealing of plastic sachets or bags for food products ", Level 3, 10 credits.

    Supplementary Information:

    1. Legal requirements:

    The following acts and/or codes, current and future regulations and amendments will be applicable:
  • Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, No. 54 of 1972,
  • Health Act, No 63 of 1977,
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act, No. 85 of 1993,
  • SABS Food Hygiene Management Code 49: 1989.

    2. Definition of terms within this unit standard:

    Terminology: Clarification/ explanation/ definition.
    Hermetic sealing Refers to the packaging of food or beverage products in air-tight containers (not necessarily aseptically).

    Standard operating procedures Refer to company procedures, prescribed procedures from the manufacturer, personal and food or beverage safety procedures, good manufacturing practices, best practices, applicable legislation, time frames, recipes and specifications. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  20214   National Certificate: Food and Beverage Processing: Dairy Primary Processing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2004-12-05  Was FOODBEV until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  20504   National Certificate: Food and Beverage Processing: Fruit and Vegetables Processing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2015-06-30  FOODBEV 
    Elective  20197   National Certificate: Food and Beverages Processing: Cereals, Snacks, Pasta, Spices, Condiments and Culinary Processing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2009-12-02  Was FOODBEV until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  20521   National Certificate: Food and Beverage Manufacturing Technology: Dried Dairy Products Technologist  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2006-04-20  Was FOODBEV until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  20206   National Certificate: Food and Beverage Manufacturing Technology: Spray Dried Food Product Technologist  Level 4  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  FOODBEV 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.