Plumbing Industry ‘Food Safe’ Cleaners

I am often asked how surfaces that need to be ‘food safe‘ e.g. in cafes, restaurants and any establishments that prepare or manufacture food products or meals, should be kept clean.

A colleague, Gavin Buckett, of The Gourmet Guardian is a food safety specialist and has this advice to offer.

In the food industry, most people are aware that bacteria in food can be dangerous. This is particularly so if the food is served by someone who hasn’t washed their hands or if the food has been stored at the wrong temperature. Equally as well known, is that no one wants to find a foreign object such as a Band-Aid, piece of metal or a cigarette butt, in their food.

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is an internationally recognised preventative food management system, and ALL food safety hazards are categorised into only one of three different types.

The first example is called a microbiological hazard and is caused by one of three problems: the food hasn’t been handled, stored or transported properly.

The second example is called a physical hazard. That is any foreign object or extraneous matter that you would not normally expect to find in that particular food product.

The third type of hazard is called a chemical hazard and is often forgotten or disregarded. Chemical hazards are chemical substances that can cause poisoning or illness if they are not adequately removed or if excessive levels are present. We all use chemicals to clean, but did you know that if you use the wrong chemical or use a chemical incorrectly; what you are doing may be more dangerous than not washing your hands before handling food? Cleaning chemicals are vital in ensuring that dangerous bacteria is removed from our kitchens and food contact surfaces, but you must ensure that they are used correctly.

In a separate Blog Post I explain how “Chemicals can clean, but chemicals can kill”, but in short, you must ensure that if you are using a chemical in a kitchen or food processing area, that the chemical is “Food Safe”.

A Food Safe chemical is a chemical that:

• Is designed for use in the food industry
• Will not contaminate food or food products if used correctly

In Export Meat Establishments ALL chemicals that are used, must have been approved by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS). As a rule of thumb, I recommend to my clients to ONLY use chemicals that have been approved by AQIS, even if they aren’t export registered establishments. The cost of acquiring this approval is $200 and is valid for five years; so if a chemical supplier is not prepared to have the chemical registered then they can’t be serious about it’s suitability for use in the food industry. Once the chemical is approved, it must be used as it is intended to be used. Even if a chemical is deemed food safe, there are some chemicals that are not suitable to use on a food contact surface (such as a disinfectant or floor cleaner).

Always check on the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) its:

• Intended use
• Correct dilution
• Any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that might be needed
• If it needs to air-dry OR be rinsed off after the exposure time

If the MSDS does not state that it is intended for use in food premises, then the chemical must not be used.

Plumbing Humour

Today’s post is courtesy of Dr Marc Dussault, who is Australia’s #1 Exponential Growth Strategist. It’s a hilarious YouTube video that he has posted on his Personal Mastery Blog.

Click here to view the video. It’s about a toilet-house built in South Korea; it shows what passion is all about – even when you’re in the Toilet Industry!

Marc calls this “antimimeticisomorphism” – shifting ones thinking to create an exponential mindset by doing something out-of-the-ordinary to achieve extra-ordinary results. He has an entire website devoted to this amazing concept!

Stay tuned for more intriguing posts like this one! Who said plumbing can’t be fun?!?!?!?

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We take what we do VERY SERIOUSLY, but we also like to take a light-hearted approach that will lighten the mood to make you relax.