How Do We Prevent Future Food Recalls

Food recalls and hygiene have made headlines recently following an outbreak of Listeria. The strain of the bacteria was linked back to pre-packed sandwiches produced by The Good Food Chain who had been suppliers to 43 NHS trusts in the UK. For healthy individuals, Listeriosis causes little more than a cold, but for those with a compromised immune system it can be fatal. It is suspected that 5 hospital patients have lost their lives after they contracted the disease through eating products from the company.

Following the outbreak, the chain voluntarily ceased production and recalled all products from sale in May. The investigation by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has traced the strain back to a supplier of the company, and has subsequently announced The Good Food Chain can resume production. Unfortunately, the news has come too late for the business who have since announced they were unable to cope with the impact of suspending production and have gone into liquidation. The investigation will now focus on the whole supply chain, including transport elements.

In 2018, the number of food recalls rose by 40%. Whilst still a very small percentage of the total food sold, it’s important we continue working to minimise the risks that poor food hygiene poses to public health. Adhering to strict cleaning procedures for all equipment should be a top priority for manufacturers to prevent bacterial, chemical or allergenic contamination. However, it is also crucial to use machinery that holds up to the strenuous sanitation process and is easier to wash to help reduce the chance of contaminates.

The Chiorino HP Compact Drive is a reinforced homogenous belt made from highly compact polyurethane. This guarantees an entirely smooth and durable surface, preventing cracks and bacterial proliferation. Its non-stick coating makes it resistant to fats and oils left behind by food meaning it is far easier to clean than traditional belts.

For more information on how a Chiorino HP Compact Drive conveyor belt could help your business achieve the highest level of food hygiene and prevent future food recalls, check out our blog post on Chiorino’s HP Compact Drive in Food Production. If you’d like to get in touch, contact us here or give us a call on 01977 691 880.