The Role of Automated Conveyor Cleaning in Allergen Control
High standards of cleaning are essential for maintaining stringent allergen control within food processing facilities. Acting as the backbone of food manufacturing factories, conveyor belts are naturally a focus for allergen removal.
Conveyors constantly recirculate, repeatedly loading and unloading food products, if not properly cleaned allergens can build up and increasingly transfer to the next product transported. Many factories produce different products in succession on the same production line, so when the ingredients change it is important to remove the allergens between each product being produced.
Factories with side by side dedicated lines for different products still have to keep a high standard of cleanliness to avoid allergen transfer.
This drive for higher and higher allergen standards necessitates the use of effective cleaning technology.
UK Regulations on Food Allergens
The UK has some of the strictest food allergen regulations in Europe. These regulations are in place to protect consumers with food allergies and non-compliance can result in severe consequences, including hefty fines and damage to a company’s reputation.
One of the most notable food allergen regulations is Natasha’s Law, a significant milestone in allergen management introduced in October 2021. This legislation mandates that all pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) foods must carry clear allergen labelling. This means that food businesses must provide a full list of ingredients, with allergens highlighted.
While Natasha’s Law is a crucial step, allergen regulation extends far beyond pre- and non pre-packaged foods. It also encompasses the implementation of robust allergen control procedures, staff training and record-keeping.
The reliance on precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) such as ‘may contain nuts’ has been an easy risk reduction for the manufacturer but the Food Standards Agency (FSA) encourages food businesses to look further to reduce the allergen risk wherever possible.
Manual Conveyor Cleaning
In a bid to mitigate the risks associated with allergen contamination and also maintain adherence to industry regulations, food manufacturers have created cleaning protocols for their facilities, normally involving a hygiene team that manually cleans all the equipment along the production line, including conveyor belts.
Not only are these tasks extremely physically demanding on staff, the procedures require extensive periods of downtime, and given the enormity of many food production conveyors, these traditional cleaning methods can fall short in reaching every part of conveyor surfaces leaving allergen residues.
The Power of Automated Conveyor Cleaning
By automating the cleaning process with KHD automated conveyor cleaning systems, food processors can achieve a higher level of consistency and thoroughness, significantly reducing the allergen loading.
Our systems are specifically engineered to effectively remove allergens, debris and other contaminants from conveyor surfaces. Expertly harnessing powerful steam technology, our systems can effectively remove stubborn residues and contaminants, including allergens, from the entire surface of vast conveyor belts.
In the UK, KHD will demonstrate the our products on your conveyors, not only proving the effectiveness but also show that every step of the process has been thought through and made easy for operatives.
Additionally, these systems minimise water consumption and eliminate the use of harsh chemicals, making them environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternatives to manual cleaning of conveyors
Furthermore, automated systems dramatically reduce the time spent on cleaning belts. This not only saves valuable time and effort for staff, it also means less downtime for your production, improving the overall efficiency of food manufacturing operations.
Key benefits of KHD Automated Conveyor Cleaners
- Enhanced allergen control
Effective removal of allergens to minimise contamination risks. - Improved food safety
Reduction of overall microbial load on conveyor surfaces. - Increased productivity
Faster cleaning cycles compared to manual methods. - Cost savings
Reduced labour costs and chemical costs. - Compliance with regulatory standards
A powerful tool to help adherence to stringent food safety regulations.
Speak to our team
By investing in advanced cleaning technology, food processors can significantly reduce the risk of allergen contamination, protect their brand reputation, and help ensure the safety of their products.
If you want to learn more about any of our innovative products and how they can benefit conveyor operations in your facility, contact our team to discuss your requirements or to book a free demonstration at your UK site.
