Meat + Poultry - April 2009 - 74

Floor drains and
food safety
Presence of microorganisms in
ﬂoor drains
* Floor drains harbor large numbers of
microorganisms.
* Microorganisms from processing, hand
washing, equipment cleaning and restrooms
are driven and forced into the drains.
* Drain conditions encourage microbial growth
and protect microbial cells.

Drain-cleaning programs
Preventative program - Daily or weekly:
* Move equipment or food-contact surfaces that
could get contaminated during cleaning or use
a splash guard.
* Remove drain cover and clean it with a
brush.
* Rinse drain with low-pressure hose.
* Do not use high-pressure water hose, as it
can cause splash-back of contaminants from
drain.
* Foam drain with a detergent solution.
* Scrub drain with brush (1/4 to 1/2 inch smaller
than the drain opening) using circular motion
to prevent cross-contamination between the
drain and the processing-area ﬂoors.
* While brushing, allow a low-pressure water hose
to run around the drain to direct the scrubbed
bioﬁlm and organics down the drain.
* This action prevents bioﬁlm from developing
or strengthening itself by producing a gluelike material, which can result in protection of
microorganism inside the bioﬁlm "glue."
* Brushing in-pipes below drains should be done
by using a circular motion with the brush,
rather than an up-and-down motion. Using
a circular motion with a brush results in 360
degree (entire) coverage of pipe below drain. If
an up-and-down brush motion is used, there is
a danger of splash-back, and failure to remove
bioﬁlms and debris.
* After scrubbing, place the brush directly into
a bucket containing a high concentration of
74

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April 2009

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sanitizer. Do not place the brush directly on
the ﬂoor or in contact with any other surface
prior to sanitizing.
* Rinse drain with low-pressure hose.
* Flood drain with sanitizer (4X recommended
concentration).
* Insert antimicrobial block or ring if needed
to continuously reduce microbial growth in
drains.
* Replace drain cover.
* Clean and sanitize drain brush and let air dry.
Drain brush care:
* Sanitize brush in a bucket with a strong
solution of quat (1000 ppm).
* Wash brush thoroughly with cleaning
solution in a bucket.
* Sanitize brush with a fresh solution of quat
(1000 ppm).
* Hang brush and let air dry.
In case of microbial problem (corrective
action) daily procedure (for 2 weeks):
* Follow initial steps as above all the way
through replacing drain cover.
* Prepare a solution of high-concentration sanitizer in a 5-gallon bucket.
* Pour the prepared solution into the drain all
at once.
* Clean and sanitize drain brush, and let it
air-dry.
* To prevent microbial problems in ﬂoor drains,
or to solve a microbial problem that exists, a
product like Zep Bioﬁlm Drain Purge can be
used in the drain. This product will break down
the bioﬁlm and ﬂush the microorganisms inside
down the drain, as well as clean out the insides
of the drains.
This list is to be used only as a guideline. Address speciﬁc
questions to your supervisor.
We would like to hear from you - to comment on this story or
to request reprints, contact us by e-mail at:
meatpoultry@sosland.com.

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Meat + Poultry - April 2009

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