Professional Kitchens Need Cleaning Products That are Tough Yet Safe and Simple to Use

Harmful bacteria, grease, grime, and soil can cause havoc in a professional kitchen. Cleaning and disinfection removes pathogens and debris which attracts pests and reduces the risk of food contamination. The risk of accidents, such as tripping on spillages or food waste is reduced by effective cleaning.

But turning to harmful and toxic cleaning substances isn’t the answer. Extra care needs to be taken to ensure that the products doing the cleaning are effective, yet safe when it comes to cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, ovens and grills, and spaces where food is stored.

The professional cleaning world has become complex, and reliant on harmful chemicals. Powerful chemical formulations that break down greasy compounds, loosen hardened spills and kill bacteria in a single splash were welcomed as quick, effective alternatives to hours of scrubbing, rubbing, and scraping in kitchens. But more recent research showed that some of the chemical formulations can present risks when they are used for cleaning in the foodservice environment.

This highlights the challenge faced by operators in the industry. Chef Pinky Linah Maruping, who is a UFS Chef Experience Advisor and Co-Vice President of the SA Chef’s Association, points out that:

Cleaning with the correct products is so important and cleanliness is a must because effective cleaning is our first line of defence against viruses and infectious diseases. Cleaning products play an essential role in our daily lives. It is vital to use the correct products for the right purpose to remove soils, contaminants and kill bacteria safely and effectively.

When developing cleaning products for kitchens, the perfect balance between efficacy and safety needs to be found. Products need to do the job, but, more importantly, they need to do it safely.

Meeting the Needs of Small Businesses

Unilever Professional has launched a range of just four products that operators can confidently rely on to keep their kitchen floors, surfaces, and equipment clean and safe.

According to says Brand Manager at Unilever Professional, Hajra Kajee:

We found that there was a lack of care for small operators in the foodservice industry. We identified a need among foodservice operators for reliable, food-safe products that reduce cleaning complexity, improve business efficiency, and meet the standards of their guests and customers.

Inspired by these insights, we have launched the Unilever Professional Food Safe* range to simplify the end-to-end cleaning process. In addition to smart, safe products, the preferences of smaller operators have informed the channels we are using to promote and distribute the range.

Without procurement and finance departments, these companies often buy products as they’re needed, managing cash flow and lean inventories. All four products in the ‘food safe’ range are therefore available in manageable 5 L packs and can be bought off-the-shelf at many outlets, including Makro, Takealot, and numerous easily accessible distributors (visit the UPRO website for a full list). There’s no ordering and waiting and no upfront investment in large quantities.

The Importance of Using Food-Safe Products in the Kitchen

Cleaning products used on surfaces and equipment that could come into contact with food must be certified as ‘food safe’. One of the main reasons for this is that, in the cleaning process, some residue of the product could be left on surfaces and come into contact with food that is consumed. To keep surfaces clear of pathogens, they need to be disinfected, but the cleaning product must be officially certified as ‘food safe’ to give reassurance that its residue will not cause harm.

In South Africa, SANS 1828:2017 Clause 4.1.4 covers cleaning chemicals for use in the food industry. All products in the range have been tested and certified by an external laboratory, Intertek, a multinational assurance, inspection, product testing and certification company headquartered in London.

Additional tests conducted by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) in accordance with NRCS /8054 /211025/266, showed that Handy Andy Multi Surface Disinfectant Cleaner effectively kills 99.9% of germs. The NRCS is a government entity which administers compulsory specifications and regulations to protect human health. It conducts laboratory tests and inspections and operates in sectors where consumers could be at risk.

Four Essentials: The Food Safe Range

There are four products in the Unilever Handy Andy Professional Food Safe range. All products in the range have been independently tested and achieved SANS 1828:2017 Clause 4.1.4 compliance which covers cleaning chemicals for use in the food industry.

Handy Andy Professional Multipurpose Degreaser is formulated with a naturally-derived cleaning agent and quickly dissolves stubborn grease, dirt, and splashes. The product is supplied in ready-to-use form for a streak-free result. This food-safe product is suitable for use on stove tops and surfaces where food is prepared, like kitchen counters.

Handy Andy Professional Multi Surface Disinfectant Cleaner has been tested and is certified by the NCRS to kill 99.9% of germs, without bleach. Cleaning away daily kitchen dirt and disinfecting at the same time, the product leaves surfaces safe and hygienic. This product also contains a 100% naturally-derived cleaning agent. A quick-drying formula makes the product convenient for frequent, safe, everyday use on workbenches and counters where food is prepared as well as on taps, sinks and hobs.

Lifting baked-on dirt off ovens and grills is easy with Handy Andy Professional Oven And Grill Cleaner. It’s formulated to remove stubborn grease and burnt-on food stains from inside the oven and on grills. The powerful degreasing formula eliminates the need for time-consuming cleaning as it acts fast for improved efficiency. Sprayed onto a cold oven, it sticks to vertical surfaces due to its viscosity. It should be left to act for about 15 minutes, depending on the toughness of the soil, and then rinsed off. Certified as ‘food safe’, the product is safe to use on food preparation surfaces.

For kitchen floors, Handy Andy Professional Floor Degreaser And Cleaner is guaranteed to have floors clean and shiny in just 10 seconds. Floors bear the brunt of a busy kitchen, with foot traffic, grease spatters and inevitable food stains. Taking this into account, the Handy Andy Floor Professional Degreaser and Cleaner is designed to be a powerful grease and food stain removal product. Its deep action removes difficult grease and helps to keep the kitchen slip-free. Speeding up the cleaning process, this product does not need to be rinsed off tiled or painted floors. A little goes a long way as only 100 ml of Handy Andy Floor Degreaser and Cleaner is added to 5 L of water for general use. No microparticles or microcrystals are included in the formulation.

All four products in the Food Safe range come in one variant and are fragrance-free. Fragrances contain allergens, so they are not allowed to be used in food preparation areas. Fragrances can also change the smell and taste of the food. Why would you want to interfere with the aromas of bread baking, garlic roasting, bacon frying, or a sizzling steak?

With just these four products, a small operator or cleaning service can maintain a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACPP) compliant cleaning system that keeps staff and customers productive, safe, and satisfied.

‘Green’ Credentials

Raw Material sourcing for Handy Andy is aligned with the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan (USLP) ambitions of eco-friendly/sustainable sourcing.

Unilever Professional is unique in its value proposition and distinct from retail products because they are engineered to meet specific business needs for the best results with minimal effort. With trusted brands used by millions of people worldwide, Unilever Professional means having peace of mind and results that can be trusted.

*Safe to use on food prep areas.

**As per lab test.

Hajra Kajee

Assistant Manager Product Development at Unilever

Hajra is a dreamer and a vibrant mom to three lovely little ladies. Previously a novelty cake business owner, she is now a cake art admirer who fuels her soul with nature, fitness, and self-expression through traditional and digital art. She lives life by exploring the world through a lens of faith and creativity.

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