How To Avoid Cross-Contamination
Cross-contamination is a term that we usually hear only in the food industry. Basically, for the majority, it means mixing ingredients that may cause food allergies. However, that is not the exact case. Cross-contamination goes beyond that. This term is also used for all industries but people tend to forget about it or don’t do anything about it. Any company can suffer from this and today we tell you how to avoid cross-contamination.
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What is cross-contamination?
As we mentioned before most people believe it only applies to the food sector. However, it affects all. Cross-contamination occurs when bacteria and germs are transferred from one place to another. One of the clearest examples is everything the sole of our shoes gathers. If on the outside your shoes were in contact with a contaminated area and you enter your office without cleaning it then there you go. Cross-contamination. Now, taking care of it might sound more daunting than it really is. In the end, keeping track of everyone’s shoes is too much. Of course, this is one example but there are a lot of others. People not washing their hands correctly, sneezing without covering their mouths, etc.
Cross-contamination is a risk for any company and it needs to be prevented. But, how to avoid cross-contamination then?
Cleaning to avoid cross-contamination
The first thing you have to do is identify the source of what may cause this. The majority of industries share the same places or spots with the risk of this happening. Here we have the most common issues and how to clean to avoid cross-contamination.
Do not use the same cloth for everything: Sometimes we want to clean something quickly and we grab the first cloth we see. Yes, it is fast and saves time but by doing that we are endangering others. The cloth may have not been washed or cleaned accordingly. If you clean different surfaces with the same dirty cloth you are creating a risk area. People go to these places, eat their food, work there, and are exposed to germs and bacteria. We always recommend having different cloth for different locations and even furniture. A great tip is to have colored cloth. This way it’ll be easier for you and your employees to identify the use of each one.
Use the right amount of cleaning products: We have seen people using a lot of one product. This with the idea that the more they use the cleaner it’ll get. However, that is wrong. Using too much of a product can be counterproductive. A cloth can gather a specific amount of cleaning product. If you exceed that amount it won’t gather the germs and clean them properly. Be careful with how much you use before starting to clean.
What are the effects of cross-contamination?
As we mentioned the most common could be food poisoning in the food sector. Although inside a company there are some effects as well. Bacterial and viral infections are the most common ones. By not cleaning correctly then people suffer the risk of getting sick faster. Most people share the same surface and we move things from one to another. We need to be extra careful when cleaning everything. While all of these steps sound extreme the reality is that they are not. If you make a plan and train your co-workers everything will be easier to handle. Cleaning is even more essential these days and should be done regularly. You can always hire a Cleaning Company though. All of them are already trained to use the right products and the right amount. Whichever your option is it’ll surely be the best for you and your peers. Although, if you have any questions do not doubt in calling us.
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