Every year, companies must recall food products due to contamination. Recalls can happen for a number of reasons, and allergy-related contamination is the most common. Learn how to reduce contamination in food processing facilities so that you can avoid issuing recalls.
In a food processing facility, contamination is when foreign particles or microorganisms come into contact with food. These germs and debris can make consumers sick. Examples of contaminants you might find in food products include:
To prevent contamination from workers, every employee near the food needs to wear protective gear. This includes gloves to protect the hands, masks to cover the nose and mouth, and hairnets to keep hair in place. These garments keep germs and biological contaminants like hair from falling into the food.
Conveyor belts have pros and cons in food processing. They’re hugely beneficial for moving food items but can also get pretty dirty. Wash boxes are devices that can clean your conveyor belt while it’s running. Think of them as a combination of a dishwasher and an automatic car wash. As the belt moves through the box, sprayers and brushes scrub it with cleaners, removing bacteria and debris. Continuously cleaning your conveyor belt does a much better job of preventing contamination than waiting until the end of the work day.
One way to reduce contamination in food processing facilities is to lower the amount of carryback. Carryback is crumbs, debris, and residue that food leaves behind on the conveyor belt. Over time, it can trap bacteria, making contamination more likely. Thankfully, many manufacturers make belts with oil- and residue-resistant coatings that you can install in your conveyor systems.
Besides wash boxes, you should consider installing scrapers on your conveyor belts. These devices scrape off crumbs and sticky residues before the belt cycles back around to pick up more food. They can really help prevent the buildup of bacteria and possible allergens.
Sanitation is crucial for the success of your food processing facility. Follow these tips to prevent the hassle of issuing a recall.
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