Getting Rid of Soils in Food Manufacturing Facility — Characteristics and Classification of Food Soils
Food manufacturing facilities have to maintain a clean environment while the food is being processed and manufactured. Impurities and contamination on the food contact surfaces can prove to be harmful, degrading the quality of the product being manufactured. The equipment and the containers, all ought to be cleaned and sanitized according to standard operating protocols. The food soils may either be hard or easy to remove depending upon the nature. Therefore, let’s understand the characteristics and classification of food soils and discover how to eliminate them to maintain an optimum environment in a food manufacturing facility.
Characteristics of Food Soils
Food soils are unwanted deposits on the contact surfaces in a food manufacturing facility. The main reason for food deposits on the contact surfaces is the nature of the food being handled. Unhygienic environment may lead to the creation of biofilms whilst the improper cleaning and sanitization done can also leave behind residue, which may all effect the quality of the food being processed or manufactured. Therefore, it is very important to get rid of food soils so that these can be removed for effective cleaning.
Classification of Food Soils
Food soils can be classified into the following categories:
- Alkali soluble food soils, such as fats and proteins
- Acid soluble food soils, such as minerals
- Water soluble food soils, such as carbohydrates, sugar, starch and certain types of salty minerals
- Food soils that are soluble in water, acid, and/or alkali
How to Remove Different Types of Soils in Food Manufacturing Facility
There are certain types of food soils like simple mineral salts (NaCl), sugar, starch and carbohydrates that can dissolve in warm water. However, mineral salt-based soils containing magnesium and calcium are difficult to remove. If not removed, these cause corrosion food surface contacts to corrode. Chemical cleaners with acidic nature will be required to remove these mineral-based soils. Biofilms are formed by microorganisms. This type of soils is also complex to get rid of so special sanitizing cleaners having strong oxidizing properties will be required. Fat soils are easy to wash with hot water having the temperature that is higher than the fat emulsions. If the fat soils are not easily removable, then an alkaline detergent ought to be used. In a food manufacturing facility, the protein based soils are most challenging. Wetting agents and alkaline detergents bearing peptizing properties will be required to clean the surface contacts.
Hiring Professional Cleaning and Sanitization Service to Meet the Industrial Standards
Food manufacturing companies have to meet stringent regulation requirements in order to retain their license. It is extremely important to have a clean and hygienic environment in a food manufacturing facility. Extra Hands services, Inc. intends to serve as an extension to your business to maintain controlled cleanroom environment and high-quality production. Hiring trained professionals will ensure that good sanitization practices are followed and the customers are always pleased with the products.