Germs are all around us. One of the places they like to hang out is in a commercial kitchen. To prevent the spread of infection from disease-causing bugs, it is vital to have a clean and hygienic environment. The best way to do this is to tackle bacteria buildup by cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, storage areas, appliances and utensils thoroughly and regularly.
Businesses are required by law to follow good food hygiene practices to prevent food contamination. This includes keeping your premises clean, preventing airborne contamination and providing adequate handwashing facilities for staff.
The only way to ensure that your commercial catering area is kept clean and fully compliant with regulations is to organise professional and regular cleaning from the experts.
Here at JMS Cleaning Services we provide Contract Cleaning services, and even One-Off Deep Cleans.
Give us a call for a quote today!
However, there are a number of simple tasks that should be carried out each day whenever the kitchen has been in use.
Cleaning Tasks for a Commercial Kitchen:
Surfaces
Clean, then wipe with a bleach solution.
Equipment
If not thoroughly cleaned, components become a breeding ground for germs. Plastic and rubber components on smaller items, such as food processors and blenders, can be cleaned in a dishwasher if they are dishwasher safe. Compartments on bigger appliances, such as refrigerators, should be removed and washed where possible.
Plastic Food Storage Containers
These should be washed with hot water and disinfectant after each use.
Cleaning Cloths and Mops
Use a clean dishcloth daily. Also clean mops daily with a strong disinfectant.
Drains
Clean drains once a week by pouring a cup of hot water in followed by a cup of undiluted chlorine bleach a minute later and leave overnight.
Without regular cleaning, commercial kitchens become susceptible to a number of dangerous bacteria that can cause serious illness.
Dangerous Bacteria in Unclean Kitchens:
Covid-19
It is important that all staff and cooks in the kitchen wash their hands regularly with hand sanitiser, or disinfectant soap. Also, it would be advise that each member of staff that is working in the kitchen, or near it, to wear a face covering mask.
Campylobacter
This is the most common cause of food poisoning in the UK, causing over 100 deaths a year. Most cases come from contaminated poultry, but campylobacter is also found in red meat, unpasteurised milk and untreated water. It spreads easily to other foods, causing illness.
Listeria Monocytogenes
This causes the most food poisoning deaths. It can be present in milk and foods made from raw milk and can contaminate processed meats. Unlike many other germs, it can grow even in a cold refrigerator.
E.coli
Some foods are contaminated with E. coli because they are not prepared or cooked properly. Common food types include; ground beef, unpasteurised milk and fresh produce.
Salmonella
This is a bacterial disease of the intestinal tract. People become infected mostly through contaminated water or foods, especially meat, poultry and eggs.
Having a professional clean your kitchen is a good way to prevent the spread of disease. JMS Cleaning Services have years of experience in providing kitchen hygiene cleans for all commercial catering environments.
Organising a regular professional clean is the only way to keep your kitchen in the best condition, and JMS can arrange a cleaning schedule that is sympathetic to the needs of your business. Get in touch today to find out more.