11 replies to this topic

[Altermanm]

Hello,

I am looking for the method to validate the uniform washing procedure.

Our company owns 2 manufacturing plants.

One facility is using a service provider which is washing our uniform in their facility.

Another facility is doing an on-site laundry and using their own washer and dryer.

How can I validate that the uniform is clean in both cases?

How do I swab the uniform? Petri film? Swabs?

 

 

Thank you!

[Dr.Khan]

Hi Altermanm

 

Simple procedure is to use swab which give colour indication for the absence or present of protein on the surface no protein indicates uniform has been clean and presence of protein mean that uniforms were not clean

 

kind regards

Dr. HumaidKhan

[Slab]

Hi, Altermanm;

 

I did swabs and sponges for my trials (sponges for pathogens, swabs for indicators). Ask your lab manager what they think is the best sampling methodology for your process and target organisms. Additionally, they may ensure that testing methods are covered under the scope of their accreditation.

 

I tested for the following:

 

Plate count: <100 CFU

Mold: <50 CFU

Yeast: <50 CFU

EB: <10 CFU

Listeria: absent

Salmonella: absent

 

 

Another option could be to inoculate a sample, however this may add cost as this method is supervised by third parties.

 

[Altermanm]

Hi Altermanm

 

Simple procedure is to use swab which give colour indication for the absence or present of protein on the surface no protein indicates uniform has been clean and presence of protein mean that uniforms were not clean

 

kind regards

Dr. HumaidKhan

Thank you Dr. Khan

It sounds like an easy solution.

[Altermanm]

Hi, Altermanm;

 

I did swabs and sponges for my trials (sponges for pathogens, swabs for indicators). Ask your lab manager what they think is the best sampling methodology for your process and target organisms. Additionally, they may ensure that testing methods are covered under the scope of their accreditation.

 

I tested for the following:

 

Plate count: <100 CFU

Mold: <50 CFU

Yeast: <50 CFU

EB: <10 CFU

Listeria: absent

Salmonella: absent

 

 

Another option could be to inoculate a sample, however this may add cost as this method is supervised by third parties.

Thank you Slab,

Did you test before the cleaning or only after?

[Slab]

&nbsp;

Thank you Slab,
Did you test before the cleaning or only after?

&nbsp;


Only sampled after cleaning

[techmgr_uk]

Our third party lab uses colour change indicators on garments to show that the correct temperature process has been completed and is also part of a EQA scheme for allergen removal.

[Charles.C]

Sorry to be a "spoiler" but IMO, from a Health POV, Validations of cleaning processes ultimately should rely on micro.data.

 

Alternative methods discussed here are IMO "by-products" albeit  effective after validation.

[Hank Major]

One could also swab the inside of the washing machine.

[John_E]

For this validation, you need to define "clean".

 

I believe there are pH and temperature requirements you can use to validate the cleaning cycle. I found this article that may be helpful:

https://www.foodqual...roach-to-haccp/

 

Your validation should also include how clean uniforms are transported and stored to prevent contamination.

[Charles.C]

I will add a bit more -

 

One needs to Validate and Verify.

[moskito]

Hi,

 

please look in the pre-selection of the service provider what kind of "uniforms" will be treated there. From food companies only? Certification? HACCP?

If a service provider is treating uniforms from hospitals not only the procedure is of importance but a clear separation of the areas and employees. 

We have excluded such service providers.

 

Micro testing is a prerequite (validation perfomed before with contaminated test items -> microbes or "dirt" for each fabric type)

Are the uniforms company owned or rented? -> last type service provider will do validations on "their" type of uniforms)

We are using rented uniforms which are personalized by barcode, single packed at delivery to our plants.

How and where minor repairs on clothing are performed?

-> needles -> each emplyee doing this work has 5 needles (-> use and number morning/evening documented)

-> lightning -> covered (glass and brittle plastic doc)

etc.

In general not an easy topic.

 

Rgds

moskito