Pet Food Processing - January 2024 - 47

EQUIPMENT
coming CLEAN
K
Leveraging modern sanitation advancements to
overcome food safety concerns during production.
By Keith Loria | petfoodprocessing@sosland.com
Keeping a pet food processing facility clean is essential
to maintaining top food safety standards in manufacturing;
however, there are a host of challenges that pet food
environments present when it comes to sanitation, so it's
vital companies choose the correct equipment to help
processors complete their necessary tasks. Maintaining
sanitation standards is one of the key aspects to avoiding
recalls or contamination of end products, for both pet
food and food for human consumption.
Nathan Mirdamadi, senior food safety specialist for
Harahan, La.-based Commercial Food Sanitation, noted
the focus on keeping pathogens out of pet food has never
been higher.
" Ultimately, it has to start with an appreciation for hygienic
design, " he said. " If you install equipment that is
very difficult to clean, you are setting yourself up for failure.
Unfortunately, this is a step that is not given enough
thought before something is fabricated and installed. "
Jeremey Alder, technical hotline leader for Saint Paul,
Minn.-based Ecolab, noted delivering a food-safe product
is table stakes, and pet food manufacturers are going to be
hurting if they regularly throw out contaminated products
or if contaminated products are going bad on the shelf.
" A solid cleaning and sanitation program helps ensure
that the money you invest in producing a product
actually comes through in the form of a product that
maintains its quality long enough to be sold, " he said.
" Everyone's always looking for a magic bullet to instantly
make facility cleaning way faster and easier, but the truth
is, facility cleaning comes down to the tried-and-true
methods we've been following for decades. "
Step one is developing a master sanitation program
that's validated for the product, the process, the equipment
and the environment. Then, it's about making sure that the
program is followed as written - and routinely evaluated
and adapted to address any changes or emerging issues.
Tom Bako, director of business development for BAK
Food Equipment, Burr Ridge, Ill., noted there are many
factors that come into play for optimal cleaning and sanitation
processes.
" While we believe that a successful cleaning/sanitation
program starts with keeping employees trained and ensuring
compliance, using equipment with hygienic design
elements is the next most important element for success, "
he said. " Equipment used for processing fresh ingredients
like meat, poultry, seafood, and even fruits and vegetables
should have smooth, stainless-steel surfaces that make it
easy for operators to clean after every batch. "
For example, Nowicki bowl cutters/choppers from BAK
Food Equipment combine smooth, stainless-steel construction
with hygienic geometry - meaning all flat, polished
surfaces are inclined to 3° to maximize cleanability.
Mark Giganti, sales director of MIMASA USA, LLC,
Elk Grove Village, Ill., noted more and more companies
www.petfoodprocessing.net | January 2024 | PET FOOD PROCESSING 47
Better Engineering's
sanitary conveyor
line features
vertical doors to
give operators full
access to the inside
of the machine for
easy cleaning and
maintenance.
Better Engineering
http://www.petfoodprocessing.net
Pet Food Processing - January 2024

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