Dealing with glass debris in food processing operations
One of the most common concerns we hear from food industry clients is how best to handle broken glass and the resulting debris. Fortunately, Vikan has an experienced Customer Service and Technical Sales team, along with a dedicated Hygiene team ready to offer practical advice tailored to your needs.
Accidents Happen
Even in the most well-run food processing facilities, accidents can still occur—whether it’s a glass bottle dropping from a conveyor belt or breaking during packaging. These incidents need to be handled properly to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 outlines key food safety requirements. Among these, food must not reach the market if it poses any health risks. This includes cases where food might be contaminated by foreign objects like glass shards that could potentially harm consumers.
Global food safety standards also emphasize the importance of managing glass contamination. If your facility adheres to the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety, you’ll need to be aware of requirement 4.9, which addresses both chemical and physical contamination risks.
Requirement 4.9 specifically includes Clause 4.9.4.2, stating:
- “Systems should be in place to manage container breakages between the cleaning/inspection point and sealing. This should include…â€
- “The use of uniquely colored, clearly identifiable cleaning tools for removing broken containers; these tools should be kept separate from general cleaning supplies.â€
- “The use of dedicated, accessible, covered waste containers for collecting damaged containers and fragments.â€
Given this, many of our food industry clients often inquire about the best methods for dealing with broken glass. Luckily, Vikan has the expertise and resources to guide you through the process.
We can assist you with:
- Selecting, using, maintaining, and storing specialized, color-coded cleaning tools for glass breakages.
- Picking out appropriate, labeled, and covered waste containers designed specifically for collecting broken glass and its debris.
Some Tips
Our Vikan experts typically recommend the following:
- Choose a distinctive color for tools used in cleaning up glass debris. It should be a color not used elsewhere on-site, ideally one with high visibility like orange or pink.
- Keep these items near the area of risk so they’re readily available when needed.
- Ensure they’re stored far from other cleaning equipment to avoid cross-contamination. A separate container, such as a Vikan bucket with a lid, works well for holding any loose glass fragments. Regular routines should also be established for emptying and cleaning this container and the glass-cleaning tools.
- Use a mobile shadowboard to organize the tools, keeping them orderly. This makes it easier to roll out when an incident occurs.
Several Vikan products are commonly recommended for this specific task. Clients may opt for all of them or select the ones that suit their particular business needs best.
Be Prepared
Choose the right products to handle situations effectively while complying with critical food safety standards.
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Closable Dustpan & Broom Set
Ultra Hygiene Squeegees
Ultra Hygiene Table Squeegee
Upright Dustpan
Dustpan & UST Bench Brush
5 Gallon Hygiene Bucket & Lid
For More Information
If you have any questions about this topic, feel free to reach out to us or your local Vikan representative.
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