

Options for Safe Sanitizing of a Food Contact Surface Purchase a Sanitizing Product You can also download a Safety Data Sheet. This site provides useful information such as the safety, usage, and ingredients. To find detailed product information, an easy-to-navigate website to use is.

All chemical cleaning products are provided an EPA number, but this may not be helpful unless you know how to find out the product details. The EPA will define the safety and use for these chemicals (for example, the pathogens the chemical will kill) and will tell how to use the product. The EPA requires all chemicals to have a number that identifies information such as product information and the company that produced it. Many different types of chemical agents can be used for sanitizing and disinfecting. The label also advises rinsing with potable (drinkable) water if these are used on a food contact surface. For example, chlorine disinfecting wipes are not meant to be used on food contact surfaces and the label clearly states this. It is important to read the label of the chemical agent you are using to find out if it is safe to use on food contact surfaces.
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Locating the EPA Number and Reading the Label Disinfectants have Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claims against both bacteria and viruses. Sanitizing is typically recommended for food contact surfaces as the chemicals are in concentrations that are considered safe.ĭisinfecting: Kills almost all of the pathogens. Sanitizing: Reduces bacteria on the surface to a safe level.

Cleaning needs to be done before sanitizing or disinfecting. The process involves warm, soapy water to physically remove these impurities. Having a better understanding of these terms can determine if you are using chemicals in the proper way and preventing pathogens from spreading on your surfaces.Ĭleaning: Removing dirt and debris from a surface. Mixing up these terms can result in poor cleaning practices and the potential spread of illness. Safe Sanitizing and Disinfecting Understanding the TermsĪlthough the terms cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting are often used interchangeably, they have significantly different meanings.
