Page 30 - CIJ Sept 2025- Digital Edition

FOOD HYGIENE

Is the industry must become mandatory. It must This makes the process engaging.
Employees can be given points
be easy to clean the equipment.
receptive to and rewarded for compliance.
new technology? How does Digital technology makes this
the industry possible. Standard operating
Cost is the main barrier procedures and checklists are also
for Indian companies. New bring about a necessary. A feedback loop with
technologies are often expensive. change in current monitoring and consequences is
However, with India aiming essential.
to be a global food processing practices?
powerhouse and the kitchen Well-structured onboarding What are
of the world, adopting modern programs are the key. There the hurdles
technology is essential. As with should be dedicated time allocated
all technology, costs will decrease to hygiene practices. Hands-on that need to be
with time. The basics must still be demonstrations and visual aids crossed?
followed regardless of technology. are very effective. Gamification of
Proper training on hand washing hygiene training can also be used. The single biggest challenge is
is non-negotiable. Hygienic design poor hygienic design of equipment
with companies often choosing
the cheapest. They do not think
about whether it can be cleaned
easily. This leads to inaccessible
areas where dirt accumulates. A
lot of old factories have poorly
designed layouts. Machines are
placed too close to the floor. It
becomes impossible to clean their
underside. Designing equipment
for easy access and cleaning is
crucial.
Is automation

the answer for
hygiene?
Automation brings opportunities.
But it can also create complexities.
Automated machinery has
complex electronic parts. These
require specialised cleaning.
They cannot just be sprayed with
water. An entrepreneur must
ensure that cleaning processes
for new machines are validated.
Employees must be trained in
these new methods. Automated
CIP (Cleaning-in-Place) systems
are a great help. However, they
must be monitored. A false
sense of security can arise from
automation. Sensors must be
calibrated properly. The basics
of microbiology testing remain
essential. You must still test the
product to confirm cleanliness. The
most important need is for skilled

30 SEPTEMBER 2025 • Clean India Journal • www.cleanindiajournal.com