Sanitary Design and Construction for Food Processing

Abstract

New and renovated food processing and foodservice facilities should be planned to enhance a hygienic operation and effective cleaning. Because most equipment and facilities are designed to feature functionality, hygienic design and construction principles should be emphasized to ensure a sanitary operation. A hygienically designed facility can enhance the wholesomeness of all foods and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of a sanitation program. SITE SELECTION Site selection plays an important role in the development of a hygienic operation. Food facilities should not be constructed near chemical plants that emit noxious odors, or near salvage or water disposal operations. Food products that are relatively high in fat will readily pick up bad odors and flavors, and pathogenic microorganisms can be picked up by the wind and blown on the manufactured products unless special filters are added to the intake air systems. Drainage is important, as sites located close to standing water with poor drainage are more likely to have Listeria monocytogenes in the facility and on manufactured products. Large bodies of water will attract scavenger birds that carry Salmonella. Standing water provides a breeding environment conducive to insects and provides water to sustain the lives of rodents and other pests. A food-manufacturing facility should not be located near existing pest harborages for further protection against pathogenic microorganisms. Troller (1993) suggested that the location of a food plant near small streams and drainage ditches should be avoided, as should locations near refuse dumps, land-fills, and equipment storage yards. Land reclaimed from swampy ground or disposal areas for refuse should not receive serious consideration. The selected site should permit future expansion. Overcrowded facilities are inefficient and pose a sanitation-related liability. Water availability and adequate waste disposal facilities should be considered. Trees and foliage that provide food and/or harbor-age for birds should not be planted close to the buildings, and existing growth should be removed. Parking lots should be paved to prevent dust and should be well drained to facilitate prompt removal of rainwater. A perimeter chain-link type fence that surrounds the property should be considered. 257