Contamination Can Be Caused By Improper Cleaning or Sanitizing

In food processing, contamination is the presence of unwanted material in a final product. This material may be physical, chemical, or biological in nature. Contamination free mixing is often a result of cross-contamination that occurs in production or between different food preparation tasks.

Contamination can be caused by improper cleaning or sanitizing, equipment-to-food cross-contamination, or food-to-food contact. This can be as simple as wiping your hands on a food-soiled towel and then using it to handle raw meat, or as complicated as using a utensil for multiple tasks (like stirring soup and cutting meat) without properly sanitizing the utensil in between. It can also be as serious as using the same work surfaces, utensils, and equipment to prepare foods for different customers with dietary restrictions (like peanut allergies or gluten intolerance).

The most common types of physical contaminants are metal fragments and glass. These foreign bodies are typically a result of contaminated equipment or utensils and can lead to significant injury or illness in consumers if ingested. They can also be a significant safety hazard, particularly when they are hard and irregularly shaped like glass and bone fragments.

Another common physical contaminant is rubber, which can be found in kitchen appliances such as blenders and refrigerators or even in the kitchen floor and drains. Rubber is not a food safety hazard in and of itself, but it can act as a carrier for other contaminants such as glass, plastic, or metal scraps.

A more dangerous type of physical contaminant is hair and other debris from food handlers. This is a common source of contamination in restaurants and can be a significant health hazard for customers. It can also be a serious contamination risk when it is carried by workers who don’t follow food hygiene practices.

In addition to preventing physical contamination, the right mixing system can also prevent chemical and biological contamination in your manufacturing process. The right mixer can provide effective blending and dispersal of ingredients to ensure uniformity and consistency throughout the batch. It can also help you avoid bacterial or viral contamination by controlling the spread of pathogens during production.

Using IBC totes for mixing helps you keep your chemicals secure during transport and storage. These large containers are designed to protect your product from contamination and spills, making them a safer option for your operation. They’re also an ideal choice for storing and transporting performance chemicals used in agriculture, such as fertilizers.

When selecting a tote, look for one that is equipped with a removable drive segment, which can be switched between totes or transferred from a tote to an injection pump. This feature is ideal for agricultural applications because it makes it easier to transfer your chemicals between different processes or locations within your facility. It can also be used to help you meet regulatory requirements for your specific region and industry. For example, it can help you comply with local pesticide laws by keeping your chemicals in a separate location from your food products.