Sometimes the most significant environmental threats in a food processing environment are the most difficult to see because bacteria and other pathogens are invisible to the naked eye. Although daily sanitation can reduce these threats to safe levels, areas that are left untreated are at the highest risk for the growth of pathogens and the formation of biofilm. Addressing these hidden environmental threats is essential to maintaining food safety and quality standards.
Bacteria and other unwanted microorganisms can grow and thrive in many areas within food processing plants. Some of the most common areas include:
Of course, every facility is different, so it’s important to conduct a risk assessment at each processing plant to identify potential hiding places.
When pathogens are allowed to grow in areas not regularly treated with sanitizer, the results can be devastating. Biofilms can form, making it even more difficult to kill the microorganisms within. This can lead to cross contamination, production line shutdowns, food recalls, and damage to your brand. By being proactive and addressing hidden bacteria before they can grow and thrive, you can avoid these costly consequences.
When building new food processing plants or redesigning existing ones, hygienic design principles can reduce the number of hidden threats. Here are some ways to incorporate these design principles in your processing plant:
Of course, not all older plants can easily conform to hygienic design principles, and the process can be costly. Legacy equipment might have degraded materials, hollow tubing, or other hiding spots that harbor bacteria. Until equipment is upgraded and spaces redesigned, adjust your sanitation protocols to include products and processes for addressing hidden threats.
D7 is a patented sanitizing and disinfecting solution based on a formulation developed to address unknown chemical and biological threats. Because it is so versatile, the product has been commercialized for many industries, including food processing.
D7 smart foam has low surface tension, allowing it to stay on non-horizontal surfaces and expand into small areas to eliminate potential issues. The product can also be applied as a spray, fog, mop, or soak, depending on the areas that need to be treated.
This foam can reduce pathogens in or on:
D7 fog or spray can reduce pathogens in or on:
The product is EPA-registered to tackle the most common foodborne pathogens and remove biofilms. The detergents in the product’s unique formulation can penetrate biofilms and cell walls, meaning no mechanical scrubbing is required. This reduces labor and minimizes downtime between production runs, which is a big win for FSQA managers.
If you would like to learn more about how D7 can remove foodborne pathogens and other biological contaminants in your facility, schedule a consultation today.