8 replies to this topic

[Sascha]

Good day everybody,

Maybe somebody can advice me and/or recommend a product.
If I'm not mistaken there are no hand-creams allowed in the manufacturing food environment. A hand sanitizer and soap is the standard.

Is this correct? Or are there maybe creams which have a food approval to avoid that hands dry too much out with the alcohol for instance?

Many thanks in advance.

Kind regards,
Sascha

[Chief Inspector]

Sascha,
It will depend on the governmental regulations where you are. Here in the US, it is a strict no-no. The only time you may apply lotion is in the dressing / toilet rooms for use ONLY when employees are leaving the facilities. These products must be FDA approved with a classification of E-4.

E-4 products include products such as creams, lotions, or aerosol foams. Any such products intended to leave a film/shield on the skin to protect against contamination by chemicals, allergens, or microorganisms have been restricted by USDA to dressing and toilet rooms for use only when the food employee is leaving the plant. Since 1992, USDA has deferred to FDA with respect to E-4 barrier-type products and requires that manufacturers obtain FDA approval prior to any new USDA listing.

There are a million products outside of the food-work environment you can use, but I suggest another site, or an infomercial for that

[Sascha]

Thanks for the info...much appreciated.
The problem I can picture is how you monitor that the staff only use the cream when leaving the facility.
We are in South Africa but the company I'm dealing with is a global player so I assume it applies everywhere the same standards...no cream at all.

Thanks again!
Sascha

[RMAV]

What can be done for people in the processing areas who suffer from dry, cracked hands? The processing environment is very dry. Other than an E3 moisturizing sanitizer, any ideas? Has anyone found anything that is effective?

[Charles.C]

Dear All,

The problem I can picture is how you monitor that the staff only use the cream when leaving the facility.

Precisely.

I hv also encountered a situation (not in USA) where initial processing/handling of the raw material induced a significant allergenic-type reaction in the hands / fore-arms of numerous workers. The only "solution" which could be found was an appropriate hand cream applied/controlled outside the processing area / strictly monitored use of 2-layer gloves / segregation of the entire process stage.

@Chief Inspector - I deduce that E4 is the subset of products which are considered acceptable within the stated conditions. What is the "magic" difference to other non-acceptable items in same segment.?

Rgds / Charles.C

[Rosemary4]

Hi, in our plastic packaging for food production area, we have installed Deb Flora Free hand conditioning cream to be used after hands are washed with anti-bac soap. They are allowed to use one squirt and rub it in well before taking the product from the machine and packing it. In our experience it rubs in cleanly and doesn't leave fingerprints on the products, which can be clear, black, purple-brown, silver or gold.

Furthermore we have never received a complaint from any customers to do with this issue, nor have we ever had any negative feedback from our BRC auditor.

[GMO]

I'd recommend using a post work cream and then you can use what you like. I get dermatitis and have to admit I steal my son's diprobase (he has eczema) which works a treat.

[fletchrich]

Hello, 

 

R&R lotion manufactures an E3 sanitizer formulated as a hand lotion that is alcohol free using the active ingredient Benzalkonium Chloride that kills 99.99% of germs that cause foodborne illnesses. They also offer E4 remoisturizing hand lotions that are fragranced and fragranced free.

[Charles.C]

 

Hello, 

 

R&R lotion manufactures an E3 sanitizer formulated as a hand lotion that is alcohol free using the active ingredient Benzalkonium Chloride that kills 99.99% of germs that cause foodborne illnesses. They also offer E4 remoisturizing hand lotions that are fragranced and fragranced free.

 

 

I'm curious as to the species in the 0.01 % ?