9 replies to this topic

[Kalliec07]

We got a non-conformance for our audit for not verifying our cleaning chemicals. We already have one for our bleach and sanitizer, but we also use a degreaser. What tests would we use to verify these chemical concentrations? We already have a chemical dilution system, but no tests for degreaser and Pinesol. 

[MDaleDDF]

If these are things you're mixing up by hand each use, we do it by covering it in training for whoever will be doing the work, having postings by the area where they're mixed that lists the concentrations for each product mixed up, and having pre-measured cups labeled for which each is.

[jfrey123]

For chemicals like this I'd just go with a manual log and manual measurements.  Trained employees sign off how much concentrate they measured for how much water they added, date they mixed it, etc.  A specific titration test should be used where food safety and food contact are strictly monitored, but for something like a general degreaser I'm fine to defend a less intense program.

[Scampi]

ummmmmmmmmm whatcha using pinesol for?

[TimG]

ummmmmmmmmm whatcha using pinesol for?

 

That Woodsy Pine^TM flavor it gives their product. YUM!

[Kalliec07]

@scampi We use it to clean the floors. He gave us a non-conformance for not maintaining the chemical mixing log. He said we had to test the mixture coming out of the chemical mixing station. We only mix our sanitizer by hand, the others we use the chemical mixing station that mixes the chemicals for us. 

[TimG]

What section of code did he reference? I was pretty sure this only counted on food contact surfaces. Also, for our degreaser we use annual training and a written log. As far as I know there are no titration strips for our degreaser.

Sanitizer we use after the degreaser, yes.

[Scampi]

We titrate every chemical we use on the production floor-----if we cannot titrate, we find something else

 

No auditor has ever asked about lunch/washroom cleaning chemicals (we don't bring it up either)

 

 

If you're using the degreaser on food contact surface, then you need something to verify dilution............so if the manufacturer says use 1 cup for every 2 gallons, then you need employees trained, and a log that says that is what they did

[Kalliec07]

@scampi 

 

We titrate every chemical we use on the production floor-----if we cannot titrate, we find something else

 

No auditor has ever asked about lunch/washroom cleaning chemicals (we don't bring it up either)

 

 

If you're using the degreaser on food contact surface, then you need something to verify dilution............so if the manufacturer says use 1 cup for every 2 gallons, then you need employees trained, and a log that says that is what they did

 

How do you titrate the chemicals? With an actual titration instrument? How often do you do this? 

 

We have a log that records when employees manually mix chemicals, but not when we use our automatic chemical mixing dispenser. 

[Scampi]

We titrate using titration kits as provided by our chemical vendor

 

It's done 3 time/week for operational chemicals and 1/week for sanitation chemicals