Anyone who works around food knows how important it is to prevent contamination. Unfortunately, sometimes the tools we use to kill bacteria can themselves become food contaminants. Discover five common cleaning products you can safely use around food.
Cleaning Methods by Industry
Different industries have figured out ways to prevent contamination from both food and chemicals. In production, for example, it’s common to clean food-grade conveyor belts using special cleaning machines that remove residues. However, in the food service industry, you may need to use a little more elbow grease.
Sodium Hypochlorite
Also known as bleach, sodium hypochlorite is a common household cleaner that you can use in the food industry if it meets the right qualifications. Food-grade bleach cannot contain any additional ingredients, like fragrances and stabilizers. To use bleach safely, rinse food containers in a bleach and water solution after washing off any dirt and physical residue.
Chlorine Dioxide
Chlorine is a gas that humans use to disinfect water, like swimming pools. Though it is another chemical in the bleach family, it can be safe to consume in very small amounts. Hikers use chlorine tablets to purify water in the wilderness, and it can also be used safely around food as a milder alternative to bleach.
Peracetic Acid
Another cleaning product you can safely use around food is peracetic acid, also known as PAA. What makes PAA different from other cleaners is that it’s very good at removing biofilm, which is a slimy residue containing microorganisms that love to cling to wet surfaces. Some scientists argue that biofilms are responsible for most infections. One everyday example is dental plaque.
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
Quaternary ammonium compounds (a.k.a. Quats) are a group of chemicals that people use to clean, disinfect, preserve, and purify food and water. One of the most useful things about Quats is that they leave behind a residue that continues to kill germs and bacteria until it wears off.
If you’re looking to add a food-safe cleaner to your business, make sure to research proper use, storage, and dilution regulations. Most cleaners are only safe around food up to a certain parts-per-million.
