FDA and USDA have clearly outlined food safety and sanitation rules that every food facility must follow and adhere to. The policies are strict and need to be executed. Any food processing firm failing to apply all the regulations per the directives can suspend its licenses and face harsh legal actions. Thus, good sanitation and hygiene are indispensable in food manufacturing and handling. Why? Proper sanitation practices prevent food spoilage and related illnesses. To ensure the safety, quality, and freshness of the food products your business produces, start by providing a sanitizer test kit to your employees as you implement other measures to improve hygiene and sanitation. Let’s look at ways to ensure a high level of hygiene and sanitation in your food business.
Set regular sanitary checkups
Imagine you’re away for business and need to eat or drink something on your way there. How would you feel if a diner near you did not maintain good hygiene? Will you dine there while you know your health is at risk? If your food business has no established hygiene regulations, people will feel disguised and not want to eat from you. Thus, ensure that your company cares for its consumers by cleaning and sterilizing all areas. Set regular sanitary checkups to ensure that all possible safety hazards are eliminated from your food production areas. You can also ensure the production areas are regularly inspected for signs of contamination, cleanliness, and food safety.
Train employees on food hygiene and keep updating them
Your staff needs to be familiar with the regulations set by the FDA for food safety and sanitation. Provide workers with the employee handbook outlining all the appropriate preventive measures and techniques to be implemented in food production. Let them know what is required of them regarding sanitation and cleaning tasks.
Educate personnel on how to store, prepare and serve to prevent contaminations. Thus, issue a sanitizer test kit and show them how to use it. Ensure you also inform your employees of the latest hygiene and sanitation standards and industry trends so they can update their food hygiene knowledge regularly. So, if there is a food safety audit, workers will be well-versed in what is required.
Cleaning and sanitizing equipment and surfaces
Regular cleaning and sanitizing of equipment and surfaces are essential. It maintains a good level of hygiene and sanitation. All surfaces and equipment must be regularly cleaned and sanitized to prevent the spread of bacteria and other contaminants. All floors, walls, and work surfaces must be cleaned with proper sanitizing solutions. The best way to ensure adequate sanitation of all surfaces and equipment is to follow a schedule of steps outlined by the food safety team.
Environmental monitoring
Mirror the environment in your food preparation areas. Develop processes to monitor and track changes in environmental conditions across workplaces. It can be done by conducting tests, inspections, and taking samples. Moreover, it will help to flag any change that might indicate a need for deeper investigation and remediation. Thus, ensure temperature and humidity in the vicinity are controlled and monitored regularly for optimal productivity and reduction of food contaminants.
Proper waste disposal
How is waste stored and disposed of in your business? Poor waste storage and disposal can cause food contamination and attract pests. Thus, ensuring waste is handled correctly. You can do this by having designated waste bins throughout your facility and training your employees on proper waste disposal techniques. So, good waste management is essential to maintaining hygiene and sanitation in a food production facility.
Pest Control
Pests like insects and rodents can contaminate food and spread diseases. Ensure food production areas are kept clean and free of pests. Now and then, inspections for signs of pest infestation need to be conducted, and any identified problems should be dealt with swiftly, like sealing holes and cracks using pest control products to minimize the risk of contamination.
Sanitation and hygiene don’t just happen; it is a process that requires organization and continuous efforts to perfect it. Strict and consistent implementation of sanitation and hygiene guidelines is the only sure way to have a safe, healthy, hygienic environment. Thus, considering the above measures can protect the health and safety of your customers and the business’s reputation.
