In the food processing industry, uniforms are essential for food and employee safety. Proper uniforms can help stop the spread of contaminants and bacteria. These seemingly-invisible dangers are hard to detect, which is why taking precautions is extremely important. But, the right type of uniform can take a lot of work to find. Let’s dive into the top five essentials to finding HACCP-compliant uniforms to keep your employees and products safe.

What is HACCP?

HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points. This system was designed and implemented in 1995 by the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods, part of the United States Department of Agriculture. This is an internationally recognized system for managing food safety. This system applies to all aspects of the food supply chain, from raw materials to finished products. 

What are the Requirements for a HACCP-Compliant Uniform?

Here are the top five most important characteristics of a proper food processing uniform:

1. No buttons. Not only can buttons fall into the food being prepped, but they can also be a center for hazardous bacteria to grow. Since buttons often have small divots and threading, dirt or grime can become trapped in the buttons and make for a potentially hazardous situation.
2. No pockets. Typically, there are no pockets allowed above the waist, but some companies ban pockets altogether. Pockets also create a space for bacteria to be trapped and create room for contamination. Furthermore, items can fall out of pockets easily and contaminate the food being prepped.
3. Properly fitted to the employee. The entire uniform must properly fit the person wearing it. Any loose clothing that trails behind the employee can cause food contamination, or cause the employee to trip and hurt themselves. In addition, well-fitting clothing is more comfortable for the wearer, as they will be able to focus on their job and not readjust their uniform throughout their shift.
4. Durable fabric. These uniforms must be cleaned frequently, and if the fabric is low-quality, these washes will slowly wither away the fabric. The uniform must be made of durable fabric that can withstand hundreds of washes before deteriorating.
5. Cleanliness. These uniforms must be washed with proper sanitation practices to be sure that all of the potential contaminants are eliminated before the uniform is ready to be worn again. The washing process should take into consideration all chemicals and other materials that the wearers come into contact with during their shift.

Balfurd Linen Services Gets the Job Done Right

Keeping up with the strict standards of uniform safety can be difficult. Looking for a way to take a load off? Hire Balfurd Linen Service to handle the cleaning for you! We have the facilities and knowledge to make sure your food processing uniforms are cleaned the right way, every time. Free up time in your week by calling in the experts to professionally launder your uniforms today! Call us or visit our website for more information on how to get started!