Uniforms and other food and beverage plant apparel accessories often differ from plant to plant dependent on the type of product being produced. The current Good Manufacturing Practices found in 21 CFR Part 110 provide this guidance: “Wearing outer garments suitable to the operation in a manner that protects against the contamination of food, food-contact surfaces, or food packaging materials.” The Codex Food Hygiene document contains similar language: “Wear suitable protective clothing, head covering and footwear.”
The key word in both documents is “suitable.” The point is to protect food and processing equipment, specifically food contact surfaces and ingredients. What is suitable in one operation may not be suitable in another.
For example, in aseptic processing and filling, product is exposed during batching and in a fully-enclosed system once it leaves the batching area. Therefore, the potential for contamination in batching is high, whereas it is minimal throughout the rest of the operation. So, should batchers wear one type of clothing and filler operators another? It is up to each plant.
Many processors find it easier to mandate that all processing workers wear hair restraints and uniforms. This is easier and less expensive than establishing rules for each plant area. In addition, these garments should be worn in the food processing facility only and not worn in restrooms, lunch rooms or off-site. To ensure proper usage, processing facilities should provide hooks or hangers so workers can hang their work clothes before leaving the plant floor.
Ready-to-eat product processors often divide plants into raw and cooked/prepared sections and often mandate workers in each area wear different colored uniforms. When passing between the two areas, visitors will be asked to change garments and usually their boots.
To minimize the potential for cross contamination, here are a few basic guidelines:
Hair restraints are another essential. Properly worn hair nets (meaning all hair contained within the net) help ensure hair does not get into food. White hair nets are very visible, whereas black nets are harder to spot. Many operations also require that ears be completely covered. Workers with beards or moustaches should wear beard nets or snoods, and those with excessive arm hair should be directed to wear long sleeve shirts with elastic wrist straps.
All clothes must be clean and in good repair. The laundry service, whether it is outsourced or maintained internally, must inspect uniforms for damage and remove them from service if necessary. Uniforms should be washed and dried under conditions that ensure microbiological cleanliness. A hot water wash that includes records of washing conditions and calibrated thermometers is desired. Processors should audit laundry facilities to ensure that clothes are not only being cleaned, but there is no source of cross-contamination.
Plants should develop a clothing policy and ensure the plan is maintained. Managers who fail to follow the policy set a bad example for workers and can undermine the policy.
