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Originally Posted On: https://mwaccommercialsanitation.ca/how-commercial-cleaners-ensure-food-safety-and-sanitation/

How Commercial Cleaners Ensure Food Safety and Sanitation

In the food industry, maintaining stringent standards of cleanliness and sanitation is not just a regulatory requirement; it’s a fundamental necessity for safeguarding public health and ensuring the quality of products.

Commercial cleaning companies uphold health and safety standards. They employ the latest techniques and protocols, combined with industrial-grade cleaning solutions, to create a safe and hygienic environment for food production, processing, and service.

MWAC’s commercial cleaning experts have put together this blog to teach you more about how a sanitization company can be your winning ticket to a clean, safe, bacteria-free kitchen.

The Importance of Food Safety and Sanitation

Food safety and sanitation are non-negotiables and critical components of any successful food business.

Failure to adhere to proper cleaning and sanitization practices can lead to severe consequences, including:

• Foodborne illnesses
• Product contamination
• Regulatory fines and penalties
• Damage to brand reputation
• Loss of consumer trust

By partnering with experienced commercial cleaners, food establishments can mitigate these risks and guarantee compliance with stringent food safety regulations.

Below are all the ways in which commercial cleaners ensure food safety and sanitization.

Comprehensive Cleaning and Sanitization Protocols

Commercial cleaners specializing in the food industry follow strict cleaning and sanitization protocols set out by regulatory bodies but tailor their approach to meet each facility’s unique needs. They follow carefully prepared protocols designed to eliminate potential hazards and maintain the highest levels of cleanliness throughout the entire operation.

Cleaning and Sanitizing Food Contact Surfaces

Food-contact surfaces, such as preparation areas, utensils, and equipment, require ongoing cleaning and sanitization to mitigate the chance of cross-contamination and the spread of harmful pathogens. Commercial cleaners use effective techniques and EPA-approved sanitizers to ensure these surfaces are free from potential contaminants.

Many of the products used are accessible to business owners, who can use them outside the regular cleaning schedules as part of on-the-job cleaning protocols.

Deep Cleaning and Disinfection

In addition to routine cleaning, commercial cleaners also perform periodic deep cleaning and disinfection services.

The typical process involves thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting hard-to-reach areas, equipment, and surfaces that may harbor bacteria, viruses, or other harmful microorganisms from raw food.

Modern cleaning techniques are often utilized to ensure comprehensive coverage and verify the effectiveness of the cleaning process.

Importance of Deep Cleaning after COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of deep cleaning and disinfection in commercial settings to prevent the spread of the highly contagious virus—or of any virus, for that matter.

After the outbreak, these services have become crucial for maintaining safe and hygienic environments, with commercial cleaners adapting their practices to incorporate the latest guidelines and recommendations from health authorities.

Here are some new cleaning strategies commercial cleaners have adopted since the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Electrostatic spraying and fogging: Commercial cleaners use electrostatic sprayers and ultra-low volume (ULV) fogging to enhance cleaning efficiency and disinfection coverage, especially for hard-to-reach areas and surfaces.
• Nano-barrier protection: Some cleaners apply defensive antimicrobial formulas that create a nano-barrier layer on surfaces, physically blocking and inhibiting the growth of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms for up to 90 days.

Customized Cleaning Programs

Every food establishment has unique needs and challenges when it comes to cleaning and sanitation. Commercial cleaners work closely with their clients to develop customized cleaning programs that target all the problem areas and cover all the common areas.

Here is a list of different commercial kitchens that benefit from a customized cleaning program:

• Restaurants
• Catering facilities
• Hotel and resort kitchens
• Healthcare facility kitchens
• Bakeries
• Food processing facilities

Continuous Improvement and Compliance

Food safety and sanitation are not static concepts; they require continuous improvement and adaptation to changing regulations, industry best practices, and emerging challenges.

When food companies hire professional cleaners, they want to make sure their investment is worth every dollar. But how can they determine this? They need to partner with a cleaner who conducts regular audits and inspections, which are required in the food safety and sanitation industry.

Regular Audits and Inspections

Commercial cleaners conduct regular audits and inspections to evaluate the effectiveness of their cleaning programs and identify areas for improvement.

These audits may include:

• Visual inspections
• ATP monitoring
• Microbiological testing
• Review of cleaning procedures and documentation

Staying Up-To-Date With Regulations and Best Practices

The food industry is subject to ever-evolving regulations and guidelines that business owners may not have the time and resources to stay ahead of.

Commercial cleaners stay informed about the latest developments in food safety and sanitation by attending industry events, participating in training programs, and collaborating with regulatory bodies and industry associations.

This commitment to staying up-to-date ensures that their cleaning protocols and practices align with current industry standards and best practices, providing their clients with the highest level of protection against potential food safety hazards.

If you’re a business owner, you want this kind of service because it ensures you maintain a healthy kitchen without having to do too much work. Furthermore, it keeps you out of hot water with health and safety inspectors.

Facility Assessment and Planning

Cleaning is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It requires a detailed rundown of the facility so a tailored plan can be implemented that ensures the space is safe and ready for operations after each cleaning.

Before implementing a cleaning program, commercial cleaners conduct a thorough assessment of the facility, taking into account:

• Type of food products
• Production processes
• Equipment and machinery
• Facility layout and design
• Potential hazards and risk areas

There’s nothing worse than paying for a service that yields different results every time. This is particularly true in the food handling industry, where food-borne illnesses can be determinantal to customer health and the health of the business.

Consistency is key, and consistency can only be achieved with a detailed plan.

Keep Your Industrial Kitchen Bacteria-Free With Food Sanitization Cleaning

In the food industry, maintaining a safe and sanitary environment is not just a matter of compliance; it’s a fundamental responsibility to protect public health and ensure the quality of products. By partnering with experienced and dedicated commercial cleaners, food establishments can mitigate risks, maintain compliance, and foster a safe work environment.

MWAC offers professional food sanitization service and can keep your establishment hygienic and compliant with regulations. Reach us at (905) 846-7796 to learn more!