In a food manufacturing environment, how you clean is just as important as the ingredients in your final product. Keeping up high standards of cleaning can prevent contamination and spoilage from occurring.

Food safety specialists recommend that the factory must be cleaned thoroughly and regularly. Proper maintenance will help to ensure a healthy workspace for employees and an overall safe environment for consumers who may come in contact with products from your company.

Food manufacturing is one of the most difficult industries to maintain a high standard of cleaning. Staff are dealing with an environment that can be very dirty and hazardous. To keep staff and consumers safe, it is important to follow all safety guidelines when working in this industry. 

Ways to maintain standards of cleaning in a food manufacturing environment

1.  Follow a regular cleaning schedule
   
   Food factories can be dirty environments with large machinery and production lines running 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The more time that goes by without cleaning, the more dirt and grime builds up on everything which can lead to an unsafe work environment or even food contamination if not taken care of promptly.
   
   One of the best ways to maintain a high standard of cleaning of your factory is by getting it cleaned thoroughly regularly. This will avoid contamination, increase employee safety, and will also not disrupt the production process.
   
   
2. Waste management
   
   Waste management is an important issue in food manufacturing because they produce large amounts of waste and have to be careful about how it is disposed of.
   
   Waste attracts pests and germs, and if the waste is not disposed of properly, it could contaminate other food products as well.
   
   Using appropriate and secure containers to store the waste in, and keeping these containers away from production is one effective way of waste management. Regular disposing of the waste will avoid the accumulation of the waste and reduce the chances of contamination from it.
   
   
3. Pest control
   
   Pests are an ever-present problem in food manufacturing factories. They can be incredibly difficult to control, and when they do get out of hand, the consequences can be devastating.
   
   Pests cause contamination of food and can also impact employee safety. Pest infestation must be controlled by management or exterminators so as not to disrupt production schedules or contaminate products with pests such as rodents, flies, roaches, ants, moths, etc.
   
   
4. Maintenance of the machines
   
   Food manufacturers rely on the machines in their factories to make food products. These machines if not cleaned properly could lead to contamination of the food products, and could also eventually break down due to dust or product build-up.
   
   These machines must be maintained and kept clean to ensure that they continue to produce high-quality products. Getting them cleaned regularly by professionals will help to not only ensure that there is no disruption in the production but will also increase the lifespan of the machines. 
   
   
5. Proper handling, storage, and transportation of food
   
   Food manufacturers and processors face the challenge of preventing contamination in their facilities. This is especially important if there are concerns with allergens, toxins, or pathogens such as salmonella. One of the most effective ways to prevent these types of issues from occurring is through proper handling and storage practices.
   
   There are also standards that factories must follow as well as strict guidelines for how products should be stored. These include temperature, humidity, and light exposure during transport and storage, among others. Proper handling, storage, and transportation will ensure that all products meet the requirements necessary. 
   
   
6. Personnel hygiene
   
   The employees of the factories should also follow proper hygiene and cleanliness protocols when working. Since they are a direct source of contact with the food items, they could also transfer germs and bacteria to the food which could contaminate them and lead to further problems such as food-borne illnesses and liability issues.
   
   The ways that employees can maintain hygiene in food factories are:
   
   - Regularly washing and disinfecting hands
   
   - Always wear gloves when working with food products
   
   - Hair should be covered at all times
   
   - There should be no sneezing or coughing over food items
   
   - They should always wear clean overalls
   
   - They should not be donned with any piece of jewellery or accessories
   
   - Employees that are ill should not be allowed to handle food items until they have recovered.   
   
   
7. Proper setup of the factory
   
   A food manufacturing facility is filled with machines and equipment that carry out the process of food production. These machines need to be installed and once they are, it is not feasible to move them for cleaning purposes.
   
   When it comes to the layout of these machines, it should be planned in such a way that the machines do not come in the way of cleaning, but instead facilitate the cleaning process. 
   
   One way to do this is by ensuring that there are no cramped-up spaces where if any food particles do fall, they should not remain unnoticed because of clutter.
   
   
8. Regular staff training
   
   All employees of the factory should be regularly educated and trained about following proper safety protocols in the factory. This will make them aware of the dangers of not following and maintaining proper hygiene which will help to avoid any problems from arising.
   
   Employees should be taught safe practices, how to handle food properly, how to maintain cleanliness standards, etc.

Maintaining high cleanliness standards in a food manufacturing facility can be difficult, but it is of the utmost importance. You need to have the right strategy and follow the proper protocols to ensure that your factory is always up to audit standards.

Specialist cleaners like Hygiene Group understand the need for maintaining high standards of cleaning in a food manufacturing environment. From deep cleans to daily maintenance, you can trust our team to keep your factory running smoothly and efficiently without any worries about sanitation or safety hazards.

Schedule an appointment with us today!