| Cleaning. Most
think that food hygiene is cleanliness.
Cleaning is not, on its own, guaranteed to produce safe food.
Many measures are needed to ensure food is protected. Cleaning helps in this protection
of food, by removing potential contamination.
Whilst cleaning is very important, by itself it will not ensure hygienic food
preparation. The following quote by Richard A Sprenger is the definition food hygiene
adopted by Haighs;
";Hygiene is the science of preserving health. A hygienic premises should
present no risk of illness resulting from the operations therein. Food hygiene is much
more than cleanliness; it includes practices, precautions and procedures involved in:
- protecting food from risk of contamination of any kind;
- preventing any organisms multiplying to an extent which would expose consumers to
risk, or result in premature decomposition of food;
- destroying any harmful bacteria in food by thorough cooking or processing";.
(Sprenger, 19971)
Having said that, cleanliness is extremely important in the production and sale of
clean, safe food. We appreciate that there are no half measures, whether it be in cleaning
or practices. It has to be total. You needn't bother otherwise. Improper cleaning, through
the spreading of contamination or misuse of chemicals, can cause more problems than you
hope to prevent.
We recognise Diversey Lever's expertise in the field of food environmental cleaning. In
order that we maintain the highest levels of cleanliness, we utilise their services and
products, tailored to our needs.
Teams of dedicated cleaners, all fully trained, follow comprehensive
cleaning schedules to ensure that every surface is spotless and maintained in perfect
condition.
In addition, all food process and shop staff ensure that their equipment
and working environment is not only clean but thoroughly disinfected. Diversey Lever have
some excellent products that help us achieve this. Regular microbial testing of surfaces
proves that it works.
Independent audits by the Meat and Livestock Commission and Gardner Merchant confirm
that cleaning standards are amongst the best in the country. |
