Looking for a an effective cleaning method for High Carbon Stainless Steel?
Have you experienced this?
I work in a NRTE high risk food manufacturing facility. We have a vibrating conveyor that was manufactured with high carbon stainless steel in order for magnets to be used on it for whatever reason. The sanitation team is having a very difficult time passing allergen micro testing on these types of conveyors (high carbon stainless steel - and only these types of conveyors). We are using a Charm testing unit with Charm Allergiene swabs with a pass fail of 140,000. The manufacturer of the equipment and chemical supplier suggest we use a mild caustic foam application, let it set for fifteen minutes and rinse off. The conveyor manufacturer is steering us away from scrubbing because the carbon is easily scratched off causing carbon residue. We found this to be true because regardless of what is done to clean it we wipe a white towel on it and ALWAYS get black residue on the towel. Has anyone ever dealt with this specific situation? If so, can you elaborate on a solution. Or if you haven't but might have some ideas as to how we can properly pass micro testing can you elaborate as well.
Thank you
Have you experienced this?
I work in a NRTE high risk food manufacturing facility. We have a vibrating conveyor that was manufactured with high carbon stainless steel in order for magnets to be used on it for whatever reason. The sanitation team is having a very difficult time passing allergen micro testing on these types of conveyors (high carbon stainless steel - and only these types of conveyors). We are using a Charm testing unit with Charm Allergiene swabs with a pass fail of 140,000. The manufacturer of the equipment and chemical supplier suggest we use a mild caustic foam application, let it set for fifteen minutes and rinse off. The conveyor manufacturer is steering us away from scrubbing because the carbon is easily scratched off causing carbon residue. We found this to be true because regardless of what is done to clean it we wipe a white towel on it and ALWAYS get black residue on the towel. Has anyone ever dealt with this specific situation? If so, can you elaborate on a solution. Or if you haven't but might have some ideas as to how we can properly pass micro testing can you elaborate as well.
Thank you
Hi Aki,
I'm a little confused over yr post.
eg "allergen micro" testing ? allergen is not "micro" ?
140,000 what? which allergen ?
NRTE is typically not high risk ??
As per Codex Alimentarius (and common sense), "Equipment coming into contact with food, should be designed and constructed to ensure that, where necessary, they can be adequately cleaned, disinfected and maintained to avoid the contamination of food. Equipment should be made of materials with no toxic effect in intended use" It doesn't seem your equipment (conveyor) could be easily cleaned without compromising food safety.