Any food production company should give safety top priority. Companies need to pay attention to many factors to attain maximum food safety. Governments across the world have set up laws governing food production and protection. By abiding by these laws and the internal company safety measures, the world can be free of food-caused diseases like campylobacter, salmonella, E.coli, among many others.
According to research conducted by WHO, food-borne illnesses are responsible for over 600,000 deaths globally. Here are five ways food production companies can make their facilities safer.
1. Invest in Cleaning Programs
Hygiene is paramount in any food processing facility. The one way to meet the set hygiene standards is through disinfection and deep cleaning. Everything within the facility, like machinery, the food preparation rooms, utensils, e.t.c. has to be cleaned. By disinfecting, you are killing the microorganisms responsible for food contamination.
External factors like rodents and cockroaches are likely to cause food poisoning. These animals will be kept away by thorough cleaning and disinfecting your facility.
2. Paying attention to Environmental Hygiene
Environmental hygiene begins with several factors, including using hazardous chemicals when cleaning. There is a high likelihood that such chemicals might come into contact with food. HT 800 silicone can guard food against any form of chemicals. The foam, made from silicone, has been tested and proven for food safety. It has high sealing capabilities protecting against toxic chemicals that might contact food or the production location.
Investing in foam is crucial for your business. This way, you get to factor in environmental hygiene and avoid food contamination simultaneously. National Silicone is a renowned supplier of this foam. Food production facilities can always get in touch for consultation and purchases.
3. Proper Waste Management
How a facility manages its waste determines the safety of the facility and food. It is essential that facilities strictly adhere to Federal and State regulations on waste management. Companies should also have internal structures that guide how they dispose of waste. Accumulation of waste is disastrous to the safety of any food production facility.
Pests like cockroaches and rats are highly likely to infest a facility with improper management regulations. There are several ways through which facilities can manage their waste. Investing in disposal containers is critical. In addition to this, it is crucial to have a specific location where all the waste is assembled.
After assembling waste, never let it stay in the waste area for long. Always ensure that all waste is removed often and disposed of safely. Adhering to these measures can help your facility abide by set regulations and contribute to food safety.
4. Maintenance
Every food processing facility needs to have a high standard of maintenance measures. Food processing machinery can only run consistently if regular maintenance is done.
Unmaintained pieces of equipment are a leading factor for food-borne diseases. To ensure that the food they release into the market is safe for consumption, facilities need to conduct maintenance according to the set sanitary conditions.
In a food processing facility, the infestation of rats can lead to the breakdown of machinery. Rats are known to chew away on the cables that connect the processing machines. At the same time, the rats and roaches contaminate the food. Maintenance ensures that the machines are in good condition and rats are swept from their hiding place within the machines.
5. Staff Personal Hygiene
The hygiene of those in charge of running the food processing machines is crucial. All employees working in a food processing facility need to adhere to a high standard of hygiene at all times. Apart from biological contamination, one of the most common ways food gets contaminated is through physical contamination.
Bacteria lying on the human clothes or skin can easily pass to the food without knowing. The result is that the food will lead to many diseases. If you are the head of a food processing facility, always ensure that everyone in the facility; washes their hands, wears protective clothing, covers hair, sores, and cuts. Most importantly, always ensure that sick staff stays at home.
A significant percentage of the human race is dependent on food processing facilities for their daily food. Most people place these facilities in high regard by believing that all food safety measures have been adhered to. Therefore these facilities have the responsibility to meet the consumers’ expectations by following every safety procedure. Suppose you would like more guidance on maintaining safety, always consult with a professional.
https://www.who.int/health-topics/food-safety
