Industrial cleaning Products For The Food Industry

The food industry is one of the most demanding and controlled of all industrial sectors. Cleaning and sanitising in the food industry is complex and extremely important, directly affecting people's health.

When it comes to the safety of customers, cleaning must be exceptional and follow all prescribed legal procedures and, above all, consideration must be given to avoiding cross-contamination. However, it is not only the manufacturing and cleaning processes that are important, but also the products used for sterilisation.

In Spain, for example, according to Royal Decree 770/1999 of the Central Government, products suitable for cleaning in the food industry must be registered in the General Hygiene Food Register and no other unregistered products can be used.

This is why special attention must be paid to industrial cleaning products when cleaning these spaces.

Do you want to know which ones are suitable for the food industry?

That's what we tell you in this article!

I. Key issues for cleaning in the food industry

In the food industry, it is essential to have a proper programme of cleaning and disinfection tasks.

For example, in Spain, cleaning procedures and products must comply with regulations required by the central government, such as Regulation 853/2004, which establishes specific hygiene rules in the handling of foodstuffs.

As we have said, identifying the right industrial cleaning products will guarantee the elimination of microorganisms and avoid cross contamination. Likewise, physical, biological, chemical and allergic risks to the final consumer can be avoided.

II. Types of disinfectants used for cleaning the food industry

As we have already mentioned previous, all sanitisers are not permitted, only those registered by the HA. These products have been previously tested to ensure the safety of the end consumer. Below, we show you which ones are accepted.

1. Hypochlorite

Also known as bleach disinfectants. They are water-based, strong antioxidants and are the most commonly used antioxidants in the food industry.

One of the advantages of using these cleaning products is that they are inexpensive and guaranteed to be effective against microorganisms.

Unfortunately they are not perfect as they have their drawbacks:

They are very sensitive to high temperatures or to environments with ph values other than 5 to 7.

They are corrosive, especially on metallic materials, and can cause damage to industrial facilities.

They are toxic and the operators handling them must know how to handle them correctly or they may become contaminated.

They are potential pollutants, especially if there are organics nearby.

Despite all these drawbacks, it is still one of the most commonly used cleaning agents in food industry cleaning due to its high efficiency. As you can see, the most important thing is to use the product itself.

2. Quaternary ammonium salt

Also known as quaternary ammonium salts. They are bactericidal substances that directly attack the walls of microorganisms. It is also widely used for the following advantages:

It acts over a wide range of temperature and pH.

They are not corrosive.

They are not abrasive.

They do not usually cause cases of poisoning.

However, although it does not pose a hazard to the operator handling it, the surfaces it coats must be rinsed clean to avoid subsequent poisoning of food that comes into contact with those surfaces.

3. Glutaraldehyde

This disinfectant is widely used in the food industry and also in medical devices. Because? This disinfectant is very effective against viruses, bacteria, moulds and micro-organisms.

However, it is increasingly considered more dangerous because it is highly toxic to operators, which is why its use in industrial environments has decreased.

4. Hydrogen Peroxide

This product is very well known as a chemical agent that fights viruses and bacteria.

Due to its oxidising effect, it is often used for whitening. In recent years, it has become an alternative to chlorine because it is much less polluting.

5. Acetic acid peroxide

This disinfectant is a mixture of acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. It is very effective against viruses, bacteria, yeasts, moulds and endospores as well as preventing biofilms.

One of its advantages is that it is an eco-friendly cleaning product. It is also less corrosive to installations.

III. Food industry needs qualified cleaners

We already know the importance of using the right industrial cleaning products.

As you know, the operators who handle cleaning products are a key part of the entire industrial cleaning chain, and they cannot be used correctly without a proper understanding of the products and their use.

Both the products and the machinery needed to handle them must be used by qualified personnel, otherwise the job may backfire due to improper execution.

1. Expertise and skill requirements for cleaning personnel

Qualified cleaning personnel should have the following professional knowledge and skills:

Hygiene knowledge: Knowledge of food hygiene standards and operating procedures, and know how to clean and disinfect effectively.

Safety knowledge: understand food safety laws and regulations, and be able to identify and deal with potential food safety risks.

Equipment Operation: Familiar with the operation and maintenance of cleaning equipment to ensure proper operation and efficient cleaning.

Record management: able to accurately record the frequency and results of cleaning and disinfection for traceability and management.

2. Importance of cleaning personnel in the food industry

The importance of cleaning personnel in the food industry is reflected in the following aspects:

Ensure food safety: through regular cleaning and disinfection, the growth of bacteria and viruses is reduced and food contamination is prevented.

Improving productivity: Keeping the production environment clean reduces equipment breakdowns and production interruptions and improves productivity.

Comply with regulatory requirements: Ensure that the production environment complies with national and local hygiene standards and regulatory requirements to avoid legal risks.

Improve product quality: A clean production environment helps to improve product quality and market competitiveness.