Food-Safe Laundry Detergent?

Hello All,

I am Quality Manager for a small honey packing company.

Unlike disinfectants and dish detergent, I am having trouble determining what laundry detergents are "food-safe". What are the parameters for laundry detergent to wash towels that we then use to wipe excess honey from exterior of packaged product?

Thank you,

Graham Shurtleff

Hi Graham; We're washing cheese bags (food contact) with Super Klenz Powder, purchased from ECOLAB. Worked perfectly through many years. MSDS attached.

Hello All,

 

I am Quality Manager for a small honey packing company.

Unlike disinfectants and dish detergent, I am having trouble determining what laundry detergents are "food-safe". What are the parameters for laundry detergent to wash towels that we then use to wipe excess honey from exterior of packaged product?

 

Thank you,

 

Graham Shurtleff

Hi Graham,

Olena gave a specific suggested solution  for yr request.

However yr OP question is a good one, eg what makes any detergent (or sanitizer) food safe ? "Food grade" and "No rinse" are other relevant classifications.

I guess a trivial answer is one which is approved, eg by EPA. :smile:

The detailed answer, at least in EPA's case, can be complex, eg -

https://www.epa.gov/...ns-safer-choice

@olena, yr Product is described as "A chlorinated, high-alkaline powdered detergent especially for bulk tank and pipeline washing". Product "as sold" has 10-30% NaOH. Looks quite tricky to handle IMO.

MSDS states "High health hazard" at Use Dilution. But also claims that no hazardous ingredients at use dilution. Seems rather contradictory. No claim to be "food safe" or EPA registered afai could see ?.

Hi Graham,

 

Olena gave a specific suggested solution  for yr request.

 

However yr OP question is a good one, eg what makes any detergent (or sanitizer) food safe ? "Food grade" and "No rinse" are other relevant classifications.

 

I guess a trivial answer is one which is approved, eg by EPA. :smile:

 

The detailed answer, at least in EPA's case, can be complex, eg -

 

https://www.epa.gov/...ns-safer-choice

 

@olena, yr Product is described as "A chlorinated, high-alkaline powdered detergent especially for bulk tank and pipeline washing". Product "as sold" has 10-30% NaOH. Looks quite tricky to handle IMO.

MSDS states "High health hazard" at Use Dilution. But also claims that no hazardous ingredients at use dilution. Seems rather contradictory. No claim to be "food safe" or EPA registered afai could see ?.

Charles, I have a LOG from ECOLAB which would prove the use for FCS. Attached for reference.

Charles, I have a LOG from ECOLAB which would prove the use for FCS. Attached for reference.

Hi Olena,

Thks for the example. NSF are performing a valuable service. Explanation of some of their Categories here -

https://www.rocol.co...e-created-equal

I presume the wording is designed to comply with Canadian requirements. Can compare to this more reserved, eg no Guarantee, US equivalent.

NSF, USA.pdf   19.66KB   19 downloads

I could not find SuperKlenz in the NSF registered list (?) -

http://www.nsfwhitebook.org

Hi Olena,

 

Thks for the example.

 

I presume the wording is designed to comply with Canadian requirements. Can compare to this more reserved, eg no Guarantee, US equivalent.

 

NSF, USA.pdf

 

I could not find SuperKlenz in the NSF registered list -

 

http://www.nsfwhitebook.org

That, I think, Graham should ask US ECOLAB for (I just presume, ECOLAB has branches in US). Sorry, I'm not familiar with US regulations RE: chemicals.

That, I think, Graham should ask US ECOLAB for (I just presume, ECOLAB has branches in US). Sorry, I'm not familiar with US regulations RE: chemicals.

I agree. ECOLAB certainly had plenty of entries registered in the NSF A1 category (Along with many others of course).