Cleaning & Sanitizing for Food Plants

1. Cleaning & Sanitizing for Food Plants

2. Introduction All equipment must be cleaned and sanitized prior to use and following any pause in use that could result in contamination. Specific procedures (SOPs) for cleaning & sanitizing each piece of equipment are available to the operator Effective Cleaning

3. Principles of cleaning & sanitizing Cleaning: removal of soil from surface Sanitizing: reducing level of microorganisms on surface to reduce food contamination Biofilm: food & bacteria left on equipment • Removal requires energy • Physical / chemical / heat • Use of detergents reduces energy Effective Cleaning

4. Main purposes of cleaning • Remove soils that harbor microorganisms and provide nutrients for their growth • Prevent the transfer of ingredients from different batches of products • Eliminate soils that affect efficiency of heat transfer • Prolong equipment life by removing potentially corrosive materials • Facilitate preventive maintenance Effective Cleaning

5. Cleanup steps • Pre-rinse • Removes gross soils (reduces need for chemicals) • Wash • Removes most bacteria by chemicals, heat, agitation • Post-rinse • Removes most bacteria and soil loosened by washing • Sanitize • Ensures that equipment doesn’t contaminate incoming product • Doesn’t compensate for poor wash • “You can’t sanitize dirt!” Effective Cleaning

6. Cleaner selection Factors to be considered when selecting cleaning chemicals • Nature of soil • Organic / protein / petroleum-based / inorganic (scale or oxide) • Nature of surface to which soil is attached • Stainless steel / aluminum / rubber / plastics • Quality of water available • Use potable water • Hardness (Ca / Mg) will affect performance Effective Cleaning

7. Cleaning methods • Manual • Taking equipment apart & using brushes • Cleaning-Out-of-Place (COP) • Taking eqpt apart and using tank for soaking • Cleaning-In-Place (CIP) • Using circulating solution without taking eqpt apart • Pressure spraying • Using high or low pressure Effective Cleaning

8. Manual cleaning • Uses lower concentrations of chemicals • Cleaners are formulated for safe use • Brushes are used to apply physical energy • Very labor intensive • Complete cleaning may be difficult if physical energy is not consistent Effective Cleaning

9. Cleaning out of Place (COP) • Requires little labor • Good penetration during soaking • Needs good arrangement of parts and agitation to work effectively • Cleaner needs to be selected because of long soaking time Effective Cleaning

10. Pressure spraying • Effective for cleaning large areas • E.g. floors, walls, irregular areas • Foaming cleaners on walls • Temperature is reduced on contact • Physical energy varies with proximity Effective Cleaning

11. Effective cleaning Procedures include: • Contacting the soil • Allowing sufficient contact time to react • Maintaining temperature • Providing sufficient energy Effective Cleaning

12. Mechanism of cleaning • Detergent is dissolved in water • Solution is applied to surface to separate soil • Water soluble soils are dissolved in water • Cleaner allows water close contact to surface • Cleaner then loosens soil by reducing its attraction to surface Effective Cleaning

13. Mechanism of cleaning (2) • Soil separation is helped by physical action • Scrubbing / turbulent flow / pressure spray • Soil dispersion begins • Soluble soils remain in cleaning solution • Clumps of insoluble soil are broken down • Fats & strong alkalis create a soluble soap • Cleaner and dispersed soil are removed • Surface is rinsed with potable water to remove cleaning solution Effective Cleaning

14. Cleaner performance Four factors for cleaner effectiveness • Time • 15+ min • Temperature • 60-70C (140-160F) preferred • Concentration of cleaner • Recommended by manufacturer • Physical energy Effective Cleaning

15. Cleaning Variables Time Temperature Velocity Concentration Time Temperature Time Temperature Velocity Concentration Concentration Velocity Effective Cleaning

16. Purpose of sanitizing • Last step in cleanup process • Requires proper cleaning of surface first • Remove oil / biofilm / cleaner residue • Reduces microorganisms on previously cleaned surface free of pathogens Effective Cleaning

17. Ideal sanitizer • Has a rapid kill and wide spectrum of kill • Exhibits good environmental resistance • Not adversely affected by poor water quality or residues • Effective over wide pH range • Non-toxic to humans • Non-corrosive to surfaces under all conditions • Freely soluble • Good shelf life Effective Cleaning

18. Effective sanitizing • Use at recommended concentration • More can cause corrosion • pH of sanitizer is formulated for best action • Kill increases with temperature • Stability can decline • Time of exposure varies • Must be capable of 99.999% kill in 30 sec • Contact time of 2 min is common • Residual soil affects performance of oxidizers Effective Cleaning

19. Proper operation & cleanup • Promptly rinse equipment after use with cool to warm water • Properly maintain equipment • Seals and gaskets • Keep work area clean • Reduces amount of difficult cleaning • Follow predetermined schedules • Use chemicals for intended use / concentration Effective Cleaning

20. Portable equipment • Store properly when not in use • Keep from splashing / dust • Re-sanitize before next use • Clean and sanitize if brought out of storage Effective Cleaning

21. Equipment cleanup procedures • Remove all product and debris from equipment • Have sufficient room between walls / equipment to allow for cleaning • Have sufficient space underneath equipment for cleaning or seal • Disassemble equipment as necessary: • Remove / replace shields • Clean horizontal debris catchers • Remove / replace product contact surfaces Effective Cleaning

22. Equipment for cleanup Washing equipment considerations include: • High pressure systems • Central / portable • Mixing valves (steam + cold water) or hot water systems • Raise temperature for cleaning • Proportioning pumps / venturi-metering / foamers • Minimize water use to limit sewer loads Effective Cleaning

23. Manual cleaning • Completely disassemble equipment • Rinse manually • Brush with cleaning solution • Rinse • Sanitize • Before reassembly • Just before processing Effective Cleaning

24. Remember! • Remove all product • Clean up first using scrapers / brooms • Then clean thoroughly, paying close attention to product contact surfaces • Sanitize clean area so that it doesn’t contaminate new product Effective Cleaning