Contamination of food production by computers?
Our expert's opinion
"In a time where digitalization and computers are becoming more and more important in food production and the optimalisation of food production sites, it is also really important to see the downside of having all these machines in the middle of the operations. So it seems, the transfer of germs from computer to food and vice-versa is a real issue. Think about the dust they attract and the dirt that stays on the screens and keyboards.
What should be done then? One of the suggestions, proposed by Armagard, is to put computers in a food grade stainless steel environmental enclosure. This should prevent contamination from computers to hands and food. Besides that, the enclosure units can be cleaned with chemicals to prevent bacteria spread.
In this article, Daniel from Armagard dives even deeper into the advantages of the enclosure. I believe it is important to not only think about the big, innovative things but also about these small things that could have a big influence on food production. It is important to bring sollutions to the table before the problem escalates."
- Yenthe Huysmans, Associate Consultant
How to Prevent Computers Becoming a Contaminant in Food Manufacturing
As computers become an important asset to the manufacturing process, how food and beverage processors prevent them from becoming a key source of contamination as well?
Northern FoodsContamination is arguably the single biggest threat to any food manufacturing facility, which is why extreme measures are taken to ‘germ-proof’ the production line. However, some of the most common ways germs are spread include ‘hands to food’ or ‘food to hands to another food product’.
Should this occur on the food processing floor, not only have you got a full-blown contamination to deal with, which could lead to a complete shutdown in operations, you’re looking at huge financial losses in terms of food wastage, a standstill in production and idle staff. That’s not to mention a visit from your local health inspector!
Food Contamination by Computer
In an age where computers are being integrated more and more across facilities handling food, the transfer of germs from computer to food and vice-versa is a very real problem. Exposed computer systems alone are a magnet for dust and in a food environment, where computers are used on a daily basis, there’s a high-risk of food residue accumulating.
Therefore, there’s a real need to stop the problem at the source. You could take computers apart to ensure that any dust or filth is cleaned out, but let’s face it, you’re not going to do that. You could implement a rigorous cleaning process that can be carried out every night, after hours, but chances are that won’t be well received.
Instead, you can opt to house critical computers in a food grade (316), stainless steel environmental enclosure. Why? They’re purpose-built to prevent contamination from computers in food environments. Encased in an enclosure, the computer is impervious to dust and food residue.
Equally, the antibacterial properties of the food grade stainless steel gives the enclosures a natural defense against the build-up of food residue and germs, plus it prevents the transfer of bacteria from computer, to hands, to food and ultimately preventing widespread contamination and the shutdown of production.
Better still, enclosure units are very low-maintenance and can be cleaned with chemicals used to prevent the spread of bacteria, without any risk of corrosion. The waterproof properties of stainless steel enclosures serve to benefit food manufacturing facilities that have washdown procedures in place as they’re capable of withstanding a jet washing.
Being able to jet wash computers in food plants means a thorough clean at the end of the working day.
What’s more, enclosures are designed to keep computers operating in various conditions. For instance, one of the most common problems in refrigerated food processing facilities is condensation. Not only can water gather in puddles and form droplets on pipes, it’s thick in the air.
It goes without saying that condensation can cause damage to electronics, but the additional headache for food facilities is that condensation carries bacteria, which can settle on computers and potentially lead to germ transfer from computer to food.
Condensation and humidity are not the end of the challenges for computer use in food plants. For instance, meat factories are required to operate at sub-zero temperatures as determined by food authority regulations. Freezing temperatures are required to maintain the ‘cold chain’, break the cold chain and bacteria can grow on the meat.
Meat handlers then come into contact with computers and they become a breeding ground for germs. Then there’s a domino effect. Throughout the working day, several meat handlers access the computer station and the spread of microbes, like Salmonella, results in high-level contamination.
It cannot be emphasized enough that exposed computers on the food processing floor are a ready-made health hazard. By making computers a bacteria-free zone, you stand to prevent a complete shutdown of your facility caused by germ transfer from ‘unclean’ computers.
The added value of using computer enclosures in food manufacturing
Aside from preventing food contamination caused by the transference of germs from computer to food, the real value of adding computer enclosures to the food production floor is that they stop food debris and dust getting in. This prevents an accumulation of grease, grime and dust, which can do irreversible damage to computer systems.
If computers are the core of your food processing operation, the financial implications and the impact on your business reputation as a whole do not bear thinking about if a computer glitch brings your entire production process to a halt.
Essentially, computer enclosures are not a short-term fix, they bring long-term stability to your computer stations, not only preventing your computers from becoming a potential health hazard, but stopping them from ending up in the ‘computer graveyard.’
Source: Food Processing