Cleaning Guide
Cleaning Guide
4. CLEANING
Section Page
4. Contents 1
4.4 Annexes
1. Model Cleaning Standard 16
[Model Cleaning Schedule]
Dirt, food waste and other debris are a significant potential source of microbiological
and physical hazards and will attract pests that can contaminate the production
environment. Effective cleaning on a regular basis is essential to remove dirt and
debris from the food premises. Poorly executed cleaning programmes and careless
storage and use of cleaning materials may also give rise to chemical hazards.
Procedures are needed to prevent or minimise the risk of such hazards causing illness
or injury to consumers.
For example:
§ Poor cleaning allows food to be contaminated by dirt from the working environment
such as dust, rust flakes, lubricating oil and animal residues.
§ Micro-organisms can grow rapidly on organic material such as meat, blood and
other edible and non-edible tissues.
§ Pests are attracted to organic material. Many pest species are carriers of micro-
organisms that can cause food poisoning.
Edible By-Products A
A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
2. The layout, design, construction, siting and size of food premises are to:
(a) permit adequate maintenance, cleaning and/or disinfection, avoid or minimise air-
borne contamination … to allow for the hygienic performance of all operations.
3. Cleaning agents and disinfectants are not to be stored in areas where food is handled.
4. In rooms where food is prepared, treated or processed (…) the design and layout are
to permit good food hygiene practices, including protection against contamination
between and during operations. In particular:
(a) floor surfaces … (b) wall surfaces … (e) doors are to be easy to clean and, where
necessary, disinfect. (d) windows and other openings … fitted with insect-proof
screens which can be easily removed for cleaning. (f) surfaces (including surfaces of
equipment) in areas where food is handled and in particular those in contact with food
are to be maintained in sound condition and be easy to clean and, where necessary,
to disinfect.
6. Conveyances and/or containers used for transporting foodstuffs are to be kept clean.
7. All articles, fittings and equipment with which food comes into contact are to: (a) be
effectively cleaned, and where necessary, disinfected. Cleaning and disinfection are
to take place at a frequency sufficient to avoid any risk of contamination. (b) be so
constructed, … and be kept in such good order repair and condition …
8. These containers [food waste, non-edible by-products and other refuse] are to be of
an appropriate construction, kept in sound condition, be easy to clean and, where
necessary, to disinfect.
9. Refuse stores are to be … managed in such a way as to enable them to be kept clean.
B. MEAT PRODUCTION
1. Operators must have facilities for disinfecting tools with hot water supplied at not less
than 82°C, or an alternative system having an equivalent effect.
853/2004 Annex III Slaughterhouses Section I: Chapter II point 3 & Section II Chapter II point
3 / Cutting: Section I Chapter III point 5 & Section II Chapter III point 5 / On Farm Poultry:
Section II Chapter IV point 4 / Farmed Game: Section III points 1 & 2 / Production
establishments: Section V Chapter I point 5
[Note *Wild game: no specific requirement but will need to sterilise knives under A7]
Audits by officials of good hygiene practices shall verify that meat plant operators apply
pre-operational, operational and post-operational hygiene procedures continuously and
properly.
854/2004 Article 4 point 4c
§ New, rebuilt, altered, or refurbished premises are sited, designed, laid out,
constructed, equipped so as to maximise the ability to be cleaned effectively.
Ø Setting out clear instructions for all cleaning requirements including ‘clean-as
you-go’ policies.
Ø Using appropriate cleaning practices and procedures, including the safe use
and storage of cleaning chemicals and equipment.
§ Sanitisers: Two-in-one products that act as both a detergent and a disinfectant. Do not
attempt to mix cleaning chemicals yourself.
Contact time is the time that the cleaning chemical needs to be left on the surface to work
effectively. This is particularly difficult for vertical surfaces. Foams, gels etc may be used in
the formulation to extend contact time.
Temperature may be critical for a cleaning chemical to work effectively. In general, higher
temperatures are more effective but may give rise to condensation. Products that work at
lower temperatures may be available.
Advice: Manufacturers and suppliers can advise on the best chemicals to use in specific
situations and on the safe and effective use of cleaning chemicals.
• The layout, design, construction, siting Consider the ‘cleanability’ of premises, rooms,
and size of food premises, including equipment, fixtures and fittings (e.g. accessibility,
facilities for cleaning and storing durability, nature and quality of surfaces) in the design
working utensils and equipment. and and construction of new food premises, and when
refuse stores, allow for adequate existing premises are rebuilt, altered or refurbished.
cleaning. See Chapter 1 (Design & Facilities).
A2, A5, A9
Maintenance Maintenance
• Buildings, fittings, equipment and Cleaning will be as effective as the condition of the
surfaces are maintained in a good state surfaces and equipment being cleaned. When
of repair to minimise the opportunity for choosing materials for maintenance work, take
build up of dirt, food and other debris. account of their ability to be cleaned. See Chapter 3
A2, A4, A7, A8 (Maintenance).
§ Food handlers are supervised and Instruct staff about the food safety hazards
instructed and/or trained in food associated with inadequate cleaning and the need to
hygiene matters commensurate with report problems promptly. Supervise as necessary
their work activity. and issue reminders if lapses occur.
852/2004 Annex II Chapter XII: point 1
Making production staff responsible for keeping their
own working area as clean as possible through out
• Food premises, including refuse stores, Set out working instructions – the cleaning schedule –
surfaces where food is handled, all for the entire premises. This includes facilities and
articles, fittings and equipment with equipment such as chillers, by-product rooms, stores,
which food comes into contact, packing and loading areas; animal unloading bays,
containers for waste, by products and lairage pens, shackling area; overhead structures,
other refuse, as well as vehicles and drains, locker/changing rooms, toilets, rest rooms and
containers used to transport foodstuffs, outside areas.
are kept clean. The cleaning schedule should set out:
A1, A4, A5, A6, A7,A8, A9
§ What areas/item are to be cleaned;
• Food premises as well as vehicles and Make sure that cleaning procedures are effective in
containers used to transport foodstuffs removing dirt, debris and where necessary in
are kept clean. reduction or destruction of micro-organisms through
A1, A4, A5, A6, A7,A8, A9 disinfection.
• Cleaning and disinfection takes place at Surfaces that come into contact with food may need
a frequency sufficient to avoid any risk to be cleaned and disinfected more than once a day.
of contamination. The frequency of cleaning of other surfaces and
A7 areas may be any period from daily to annually
depending on the level of soiling.
• Food preparation, treatment and If cleaning while production is in progress, take steps
processing rooms are protected against to protect food from contamination from the cleaning
contamination between and during process. In particular, remove food before high-
operations. pressure hoses are used to avoid contamination
A4 through aerosol spray.
• Cleaning chemicals are specifically Chemicals used are appropriate for the area or
approved for the intended situation and equipment to be cleaned. See 4.3.1 above.
use and are used safely. Label Cleaning chemicals are potentially dangerous and
directions are followed. can harm people and may contaminate food if used
The Control of Substances Hazardous to
incorrectly. They may also damage surfaces and
Health Regulations
equipment. The COSHH Regulations apply to a wide
range of cleaning chemicals used at work. Chemical
suppliers provide safety data sheets.
Disinfection Disinfection
• All articles, fittings and equipment with Make sure that at least the following surfaces and
which food comes into contact are equipment are disinfected:
disinfected where necessary. § Food contact surfaces
Disinfection takes frequently enough to § Hand contact surfaces
avoid any risk of contamination. § Cleaning equipment and materials
A7
• Cleaning agents and disinfectants are Store cleaning chemicals safely and securely so that
not stored in food handling areas. there is no risk to the safety of food or to human
A3 health.
• Adequate facilities are provided for the Cleaning equipment is contaminated during the
cleaning, disinfecting and storage of cleaning process, and so must be cleaned and
cleaning utensils and equipment. disinfected to avoid cross contamination when next
These facilities are to be … easy to used.
clean and have an adequate supply of Colour coding of cleaning equipment will help to avoid
hot and cold water. the spread of contamination e.g. so a mop for
A5
cleaning toilet floors is not used in the food production
area. Advice on colour coding is available from BICS
(see 4.3.1 above).
• All articles, fittings and equipment with Include these items in the cleaning schedule. Pay
which food comes into contact are particular attention to high level areas and the
effectively cleaned, and where undersides of equipment that may allow the
necessary, disinfected. accumulation of dirt, food debris and other soil. For
A7 example, the undersides of trimming tables and
equipment where there may be a narrow gap
• Surfaces of equipment in areas where
between the equipment and the floor.
food is handled and in particular those
in contact with food easy to clean and, Cleaning-in-Place - CIP systems may be useful in
where necessary, to disinfect. larger poultry plants where processing equipment is
A4 difficult or dangerous to reach for routine cleaning.
Install such systems only after consultation with the
manufacturers of both the equipment and of the
cleaning chemicals.
• All equipment and implements that Wash and disinfect knives and other implements that
come into contact with fresh meat are come into contact with meat in water at 82°C before
cleansed and disinfected in water at a the start of work, after every break, and whenever the
temperature of not less than 82°C or an implements become soiled.
alternative method having the Submit proposals for alternative systems for
equivalent effect. consideration of suitability to the Veterinary Director,
B1
FSA, 125 Kingsway, London WC2B 6NH.
Responsibilities Responsibilities
• The operator is responsible for food Operator Responsibility includes maintaining and
safety in the food business. monitoring company cleaning procedures and taking
corrective action if there is a failure.
852/2004 Article 1 point 1(a)
Delegation - responsibility for maintaining and
monitoring cleaning procedures may be delegated to
a nominated person, to whom problems are reported
and who has sufficient authority to ensure that
corrective action is taken when necessary.
HARD FLOORS
1 (a)Spot mop Dry and free from spillages, Build up of spillages, Debris and spillages
removable stains, superficial removable stains, superficial arising from usage
marks and loose debris. marks and loose debris. between cleans.
(b) Full mop Has uniformed appearance Build up of spillages, Debris and spillages
and is dry and free from removable stains, superficial arising from usage
spillages, removable stains, marks and loose debris. between cleans.
superficial marks and loose Having a non-uniform finish.
debris.
2 Scrub Dry and free from removable Build up of removable stains, Debris and scuff marks
stains, spillages, ingrained spillages, ingrained dirt, scuff arising from usage
dirt, scuff marks and impacted marks and impacted debris. between cleans.
debris. Of uniform Of non-uniform appearance.
appearance.
3 Burnish / Dry and free from removable Non-uniform appearance, Debris and scuff marks
polish stains, spillages, scuff marks build up of removable stains, arising from usage
and debris. Has even sheen spillages, loose debris and between cleans.
scuff marks.
SOFT FLOORS
1 (a) Spot clean Free from visible loose debris, Build up of removable debris Debris arising from
dust, fluff and lint, removable dust, fluff, lint, stains and usage between cleans.
stains and matter. matter. Accumulation of the
above around soft floor
edges and bases of furniture.
(b) Full suction Free from visible loose debris, Build up of removable debris, Debris arising from
clean dust, fluff and lint. Overall dust, fluff and lint. usage between cleans.
even appearance. Accumulation of the above
around soft floor edges and
bases of furniture.
2 Deep clean Free from impacted debris, Build up of impacted and Debris arising from
dust fluff and lint. Overall loose debris. Removable usage between cleans.
bright appearance. Free from stains. Unacceptable odour.
removable stains. Odour free.
SANITARY FITTINGS
1 Damp wipe / Free from impacted debris, Build up of impacted debris, Debris, dust and stains
wash dust, removable stains, body dust and fats on all surfaces arising from usage
fats and fluids. Uniform and at points of contact with between cleans.
appearance. Dry. Odour free. horizontal surfaces. Residual odour.
Removable stains, smears.
2 Deep clean Free from impacted debris, Build up of impacted debris, Debris, dust and stains
dust, removable stains, body dust, fats, scale and verdigris arising from usage
fats and fluids, scale and on all surfaces and at points between cleans.
verdigris. Uniform of contact with other Residual odour.
appearance. Dry. Odour free. surfaces. Removable stains,
smears.