Other than the quality of the food itself, there is nothing more important in a commercial kitchen than cleanliness and sanitation. Choosing the right food-grade cleaning agents is a vital part of maintaining health and hygiene within these types of settings. Kitchens must use the appropriate antimicrobial agents, specifically ones that are approved for use in culinary settings.

Liam Fitchett, National Key Account Manager – Facilities Management at Bunzl Australia & New Zealand.

Liam Fitchett, Bunzl Australia & New Zealand’s National Key Account Manager – Facilities Management, advises that while commercial kitchens can differ in size and offering, they have the same basic requirements when it comes to cleaning. “You’ll never find a commercial kitchen without a good detergent and rinse aid,” says Fitchett. “Usually, they’ll be specifically formulated for soil removal and increased drying time – which, in a busy kitchen, reduces required rewash and can improve overall operations efficiency.” Fitchett also suggests commercial kitchens utilise more traditional no-caustic alkali products overall. “These types of chemicals contain a defatting agent that cuts through grease and will give you an overall better result.”

“You’ll never find a commercial kitchen without a good detergent and rinse aid.”

Liam Fitchett, Bunzl Australia & New Zealand’s National Key Account Manager – Facilities Management.

Just as clean dishes are a central part of any kitchen, Fitchett advises that bio-enzymatic floor cleaning products are a great addition to any cleaning process as they require no rinse at all. “Bio-enzymatic formulas use ‘good’ bacteria to digest wastes, soils and stains and more effectively break down organic materials. They’re a good solution for busy kitchens that may not have the extra time to put towards that labour.”

As with any cleaning chemical, it’s important to understand the difference between disinfectants and sanitisers – only chemicals classified as sanitisers are suitable for use on surfaces that may come in contact with food for human consumption. However non-food grade disinfectants can be used on other kitchen surfaces such as floors, or food contact surfaces if they are then rinsed and sanitised.

These days, many products contain both cleaning and disinfecting/sanitising elements, making them an ideal all-in-one solution, particularly in areas that are not heavily soiled. Along with those dual-purpose products, the growth of sustainable formulas and super-concentrated products is helping businesses to improve their carbon footprint by reducing packaging and volumetric weight during transport – allowing them to simplify their operations and reduce costs without impacting cleaning performance.

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