As a uniform service provider the Roscoe Company works with a lot of customers in the food industry. The food industry has a certain set of rules it must abide by to be in regulation with standards set in place by the federal government. Therefore, the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) exists as the centerpiece of food-safety initiatives.
Some of the most common sources of contamination in food-processing environments are:
- Human hands, coughs and sneezes, hair, insects, birds, rodents
- Cross-contamination from raw to ready-to-eat food products
- Improperly cleaned and sanitized equipment, cutting boards
- Improperly cooked foods permitted to cool slowly
- Improper holding temperatures in the danger zone (40 – 140 degrees F)
- Dirty aprons, smocks, wiping cloths, contamination uniforms
While garments are not the weakest link, it can still pose food contamination risks if not handled or monitored correctly. That’s why it is important to work with a uniform supplier that is HACCP compliant, like the Chicago uniform company.
The Uniform Company’s Washing and Drying Process Is HACCP Compliant
The uniform rental company’s washing process of food processing uniforms relies on many mechanisms to remove soils from the assorted wash classifications. These same mechanisms, which function to remove soils, also act to remove microorganisms include:
- The numerous steps of a wash formula act as a source of continual dilution.
- The elevated temperatures of a wash cycle act to increase the solubility parameters of the water and increase the permeability of the garments or linen.
- The alkaline detergents and builders function to saponify fats and denature proteins.
- The use of a chlorine bleaching operation on white fabrics has been shown to further remove organic materials and is a known sanitizer.
- Terminal finishing chemistries will directly kill and inhibit any remaining microbial load.
- Laundered garments are subjected to a terminal finishing operation which will include either drying, tunnel finishing or pressing.
In short, Roscoe uses specific wash formulas that attack any bacteria that might be present on garments (that have been separated by soil and type), like work uniforms, butcher coats, aprons, linens and shop towels. Our drying or finishing process – because of the high temperatures – kills any remaining bacteria. Finally, anyone at the uniform company that handles food processing uniforms is wearing gloves and all garments are covered in plastic when being delivered back to a customer.
Contact a Roscoe Representative to Learn More About the HACCP Process
Our HACCP process is very well documented so you can rest assured you are in compliance. To put your mind at ease even further, our wash process is audited by Gurtler using a titration process that verifies our formulas are effective and pH neutral by the end of the cycle. In addition, as part of our HACCP process, food processing garments and linen are tested periodically for the presence of pathogens by an independent lab. Recent audits by Gurtler verify our formulas are pH neutral and lab test results reflect the cleanliness of our garments and linen products.
If you would like to learn more about our HACCP process, please contact a Roscoe representative or come in for a tour.
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Contact us to learn more about Roscoe: The Chicago Work Uniform Company
