Food Safety – Pest Control

We already know that human beings carry a number of bacteria around with them; the same is true of insects, birds and animals. Pests can contaminate food with bacteria and disease, but they also cause physical contamination from droppings, urine, fur and feathers. Food Safety Pest Control should be managed properly.

Pest problems can result in lost revenue through damaged stock, gaining a bad reputation, and in some cases legal action being taken against the business. A number of food premises have been closed down as a result of pest infestation.

It should be part of your regular inspection routine to check for signs of pest infestation, if you see, or think you see evidence of infestation, you should seek the necessary professional help. It is always preferable to treat the problem by remove the pest, this avoids the possibility of it dying inside the food area and causing further contamination.

Extreme care must be taken if chemical controls are to be used to prevent it from entering the human food system.

Prevention is always better than the cure

Domestic pets must never be allowed into food handling areas, they carry bacteria in their fur, feathers, skin, saliva and intestines. Stroking or fussing cats, dogs and other animals will contaminate food handlers, and they should always wash their hands thoroughly using soap and warm water, and dry their hands properly, before returning to handling food.

Here are a few handy tips on how to prevent your business being infested:

• Always store food in pest proof containers, and off the floor on shelving to help prevent infestation.
• Pest-damaged goods should be removed and destroyed immediately to prevent contamination.
• Storage areas should be easy to clean and allow easy access of goods to check for signs of pests.
• Food should never be stored outside.
• Rubbish areas should be kept clean, and waste should be kept in bins with tight fitting lids to prevent pests from making a mess and gaining access to your rubbish.
• Always check deliveries for signs of infestation; refuse the goods if you suspect the food is contaminated and/or harbouring pests.
• Repairs should be effected immediately to drain covers, door bases and other parts of buildings which will allow access to pests. Rats and mice can get through surprisingly small gaps!
• Boxes, packaging and paper left lying around can be used by animals for bedding, so always tidy it away.
• Vegetation around the premises should be looked after as pests may use this as a home.
• Use fly screens, and mesh over windows and doors of food preparation rooms, sticky fly papers can also be used in store rooms, but should never be used near open food.

Remember, always use products before the “Use by” date, and the First In, First Out rule in store rooms, so that older stock always gets used before newer stock, this will help to prevent stored product pests such as Grain Weevils from contaminating food.

Always buy food in smaller quantities so that it can be used in a reasonable amount of time, this helps to prevent wastage and provides fewer opportunities for pests to infest your storerooms.