Food Sanitation

Food sanitation and safety is a growing concern both in the United States and abroad. Food safety does not begin at the warehouse or manufacturing level of food transport to the consumer. It begins at the farm. As a buyer, you have the right to know if the food that comes to you is impeccable. One concern includes the use of reclaimed water, which is formerly wastewater that is treated. Although the water has gone through a water treatment process, studies have shown that people can ingest harmful pathogens. Other concerns at the farm level include clean equipment, maintenance, moisture deterrence, and cleaning practices.

Once the food is transported from the grower to the warehouse or manufacturer, it is imperative that appropriate measures are taken to ensure cleanliness. Areas of concern include maintaining a rigorous cleaning regimen, sanitation verification, and installing equipment such as filters, screens, or magnets to detect metal fragments, specifically structured to deter food contamination.

Along the entire supply chain, continual product testing, inspection, and compliance with food safety procedures is essential. Helpful to maintaining the utmost in food sanitation is documentation, training, continual process improvement, and third party audits conducted by individuals that have experience with the food processing industry.