The Sanitary Standards of Food Grade Conveyors

There are several moving points when transporting goods in the food sector. It’s critical to practice the most effective safety procedures because so many different hands touch the food. The conveyor is a big component of food processing, and understanding the sanitary standards of food grade conveyors ensures the public remains healthy.

The Difference Between Cleaning and Sanitizing

Although people think of cleaning and sanitizing as the same things, there is a difference between the two actions. Cleaning is any process that eliminates dirt and debris from the conveyor. Food particles are prone to lodge in the crevices of the machine, requiring a high-pressure washer to remove them. But even if the cleaning eradicates visible particles, the conveyor is still a haven for germs.

Sanitation’s purpose is to remove and eliminate germs on the conveyor. Diligent sanitary measures remove organic materials from its surface, including molds, germs, and other hazardous organisms.

When working with food conveyors, you must incorporate both processes into your day to maintain the machine’s overall cleanliness. Handling food from contaminated conveyors is a recipe for disaster.

Prevention Is Better Than Reaction

Nearly 50 million Americans may suffer from a foodborne infection each year, with over 125,000 threatening their life. With that number being astronomically high, it’s evident that food and safety protocols are critical when dealing with food.

The government created the FDA Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) to safeguard the public from potentially dangerous foodborne illnesses. This act established regulations requiring certain preventive actions to prevent an outbreak in the food supply.

The main objective of this legislature is to prevent these catastrophes from happening rather than developing the appropriate response to them.

Standards To Expect

Learning about the standards the government expects from your food processing conveyor helps you make the proper adjustments. The following policies have your best interest at heart:

  • Flawless construction: No conveyor should have gaps that allow food to accumulate, as this can lead to potential contamination.
  • Clean construction: The construction materials used to build the conveyor must be easily cleanable. If sanitizing is a hassle, it could open the door to a harmful virus.
  • Continuous cleansing: Every conveyor needs mechanisms that allow for repeated cleanings, implying that workers and machines remove debris when necessary.
  • FDA-approved cleaning materials: If the FDA doesn’t sign off on them, don’t use them.
  • Effective training: All employees must complete thorough training to understand the importance of the standards for food sanitation.

Keeping the sanitary standards of food grade conveyors in mind when working in this field is of the utmost importance. Redline Systems has you covered if you are looking for premier industrial conveyor systems. We’ve been offering dependable conveyor systems for over 40 years, becoming one of the most reputable manufacturers in the industry. Please contact someone from our team today if you want to add one of our supreme industrial conveyors to your facility!