10 replies to this topic

[paconmatt]

I am currently looking for a vendor that specializes in food grade cleaning and sanitizing supplies.  Does any one out there know of a good supplier?  I found a company called CRC that specializes in food grade lubricants but they do not make cleaning supplies.

[Snookie]

Many companies sell food grade cleaning chemicals and will also provide the dispensers so that the correct strength is dispensed.  Ecolab, Diversey, Spartan are some most common.  Ecolab and Diversey are a bit more pricey but any of these companies can give the right chemicals and provide training to you and your staff. 

[CaliforniaFS]

Many companies sell food grade cleaning chemicals and will also provide the dispensers so that the correct strength is dispensed.  Ecolab, Diversey, Spartan are some most common.  Ecolab and Diversey are a bit more pricey but any of these companies can give the right chemicals and provide training to you and your staff. 

 

... but I especially like these dispensers for monitoring usage. 

[Snookie]

... but I especially like these dispensers for monitoring usage. 

 

I do too.  It makes it so much easier and safer.

[Charles.C]

I doubt very much that "Food Grade Cleaning chemical" has any standardised meaning ?

The nearest approach IMEX is something like "suitable, ie approved by XYZ, for use in a Food Manufacturing facility as per manufacturer's instructions".

 

i have never seen a reference source to support a Food Grade Apellation to a cleaning chemical?

 

(at least Food Grade Lubricants do have recognized category definitions.)

 

Rgds / Charles.C

[Mr. Incognito]

I've worked with Ecolab in all of my food manufacturing facilities they have well trained staff and good products.

[djfitz1231]

I also have used Ecolab in all of my experiences. They are higher cost products but the service you get in untouchable.

[Slab]

I'm very satisfied with Alpha Chemical.  Of course much of this will depend on your region and rep. 

And I would like to echo what Charles C. has mentioned in regards to "food grade"; Many chemicals supplied by sanitation specialists are registered FDA for processing aids, but in general chems for cleaning such as KOH and CL, and low foaming acids, are not food grade.  Sanitizers such as peroxyacetic acid and quat ammonia are food safe with aggressive monitoring for concentrations. 

[VicCherikoff]

Peroxyacetic acid is pretty harsh on steel an dother metals and you run the risk of poisoning workers if it contacts chlorinated water as free chlorine can be released. Quaternary ammonium compounds might be food grade but really need to be washed away as happens in your dish washer. They are not something you'd care to have as residual chemicals on food surfaces and equipment.

[Slab]

Peroxyacetic acid is pretty harsh on steel an dother metals and you run the risk of poisoning workers if it contacts chlorinated water as free chlorine can be released. Quaternary ammonium compounds might be food grade but really need to be washed away as happens in your dish washer. They are not something you'd care to have as residual chemicals on food surfaces and equipment.

 

Hi, VicCherikoff;

 

PAA is indeed harsh on reactive metals which is clearly stated by all usage labeling. This sanitizer has its application/industry limitations.

Your further statements seem to me a lack of citation or a good sanitation program/common sense.   

Edited by Slab, 02 August 2014 - 05:48 AM.

[fgjuadi]

I've had ecolab reps that were amazing - one that sat down with me every quarter and and helped reduced our chemical spending by more than my salary (Shout out to Karen B., the best chemical rep I've ever met!!) .  I've had one rep that couldn't be bothered to see our account because it was too small.  They also have a super nice lab near the twin cities I've toured, and you have trouble cleaning something, your rep will send it to their lab & come back with a solution.  I had  a "super rep" come out for a week and redesign our CIP system.   I trust them for chemicals.  For pest control, not so happy with their service.

 

When you're looking for a rep, call and ask if they provide these basic services -

• an information sheet with proper usage,
• a test kit to test the concentration of the chemical,
• labels
• MSDS
• training for you and your employees.

Optional but, as they work for $,  I always demand  -

• Sometimes they throw in a free dispensing station that will dilute chemicals for you, sometimes it costs $50-100.  But it takes away mixing the chemical yourself, which is super valuable. If you buy the station you commit to buying their chemicals so they sometimes throw it in.
•  The chemical rep should be able to recommend solutions & give you options - work/experience in other food plants is good
• Be able to visit / evaluate your process at least quarterly
• Chemical drum / container return system - you can't wash these out down the drain or throw them out, so ask what happens to the containers once they're empty
• Some companies offer inventory control services so that you never have to worry about ordering again - sometimes free, some $,  but nice if you have a giant facility

You will want to ask how often they deliver & what the lead time is - you don't want to be caught without a process chemical if anything goes wrong. 

 

 

As far as chemicals go -

 

You'll want a strong acid for mineral build-up, you'll want a degreaser for organic matter (probably chlorinated) and sanitizer for food contact surfaces.  You're probably looking for sanitizers approved for use after "no rinse".  Every chemical you purchase has the capability to be dangerous.  Chlorine will eat away at anything that isn't stainless steel as well, but some formulations have pot ash or other additives to help protect equipment.  If you have high risk for Listeria in your facility you can have PAA & Quat and rotate so that you kill stuff one or the other doesn't.

 

I could talk about sanitation all day. 

Edited by magenta_majors, 02 August 2014 - 11:52 PM.