Cleaning chemicals food grade requirement

Hi there, does ISO 22000 require cleaning chemicals to be food grade? I cannot find the reference for this requirement. I work for a warehouse where food (finished goods) are stored and we have McDonald`s, RBI and ISO 22000 standards and cannot find a reference that required cleaning chemicals to be food grade. So, is that means we do not require to use food grade chemicals for cleaning? Note that there is not manufacturing process, it is just storage. Thank you, Tiago

Hi Tiago , 

Actually I dont think there is food grade cleaning chemical. but just food safe .

It also means it is safe if accidentally consume a little / there is residue on the surface food contact surface (based on the limitation on FDA regulation). 

Does ISO 22000 require cleaning chemicals to be food grade? There is no specific requirement. 

Please correct me if I'm wrong. =)

Greetings Tiago,

The cleaning chemicals being food grade is not worded specifically in standards but it is a good practice requirement and often an inspection authorities requirement as I have yet to encounter inspectors who haven't asked about food grade chemicals. The concept of food grade does not apply only to food contact but also to the chemicals not being corrosive in any way to the packaging or maybe not have a strong odor that could affect packaged foods with "breathing" openings (eg fresh strawberry packages often have small holes so as not to allow the humidity to increase and make it easier for molds to grow).

Packaged goods warehouses can possibly be less strict but you should still check if and how chemicals can affect the products as in the examples above.

Regards.

Sanitizing compounds are a part of the cleaning process and in the US are regulated by 21 CFR part 178.1010 , PAA being a good example of a sanitizer commonly used in many plants. Detergents however only need be used per mfg label in order to be considered applicable in a food plant.

Additionally, NSF classifies many antimicrobial compounds with a no rinse application (E3, D2) and some solvent cleaners (e.g. coil cleaners).