Kitchen ClothsFoodstuffs and equipment can easily become contaminated by soiled kitchen cloths. Even in well run kitchens it's common to find soiled cloths scattered about the kitchen area. If a soiled cloth comes into contact with food or equipment, it could contaminate that food or surface and possibly result in food poisoning. The risks can be minimised by observing the following points:
DRYING CLOTHS
The use of tea towels for drying is to be discouraged, a more hygenic alternative being disposable paper cloths. Wherever possible use short life disposables. If, however, you do use traditional tea towels you must:-
- Change the cloths frequently throughout the day. It is not sufficient merely to rinse out tea towels and dry them over kitchen equipment - they must be properly laundered.
- All soiled cloths must be collected at the end of each day and stored away from the food room until they can be properly laundered.
WIPING CLOTHS
Cloths used for cleaning kitchen surfaces must be frequently rinsed out in a solution of sterilant. When not being used (whether over night or during the day) cloths should be stored in a solution of sterilant (i.e. one third of a fluid oz. of bleach per gallon of water). A similar solution can also be used for the final rinsing of kitchen surfaces after they have been thoroughly cleansed with a detergent. Sterilant solutions must be renewed every day.
CLEANING CLOTHS
Cloths used for deep cleaning and similar tasks must be thoroughly rinsed in a hot detergent solution. After rinsing they should be wrung out, dried and then stored in a cleaning cupboard that is completely separate from foodstocks. The same care should be taken for items such as scourers and cleaning brushes.
REMEMBER
- ALWAYS have separate cloths for DRYING and for WIPING, and for CLEANING. Each type of cloth should be easily identifiable either by colour, size or some form of marking.
- NEVER mix the use of the cloths, always use the right cloth for the task.
- NEVER Use rags or cloths previously used for some other purpose. Always buy good quality commercial grade cloths designed specifically for each task.
- NEVER Use kitchen cloths to cover food or equipment.
- NEVER Use kitchen cloths for drying hands or other personal use.
- DO Buy special cloths for special tasks i.e. oven cloths, waiter cloths etc.
- KEEP the number of cloths in use at any one time to a minimum. Too many can result in cloths being forgotten and allowed to lay scattered around the kitchen.
Contact Southwark's Food, Health and Safety Team
Tel: 020 7525 2000
Fax: 020 7525 5735
Email: food@southwark.gov.uk
Address: Food Team,
Environment & Leisure,
Chaplin Centre,
Thurlow Street,
London SE17 2DG
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