Anyone who has ever worked in the food processing industry knows how imperative it is to keep things cleaned and organized at all times. The last thing you’d want in a food processing facility is chaos. Incorporating color coding, however, can help prevent the latter and overall helps maintain an efficient workplace.
Here’s why we think color coding needs to be a component of all food processing facilities.
1. It Can Help Prevent Cross Contamination
One of the most important things a color coding system can help accomplish in a food processing facility is the prevention of cross-contamination. Foods like meats that contain foodborne pathogens and items that are common allergens like wheat can easily be separated with colored labels.
The prevention of cross-contamination can help save you money in the long run. This means you have a lessened chance of dealing with a lawsuit due to someone getting sick as a result of cross-contamination.
2. Colored Labels Divide Workspaces
Workplaces are best run when they are in orderly sections. Even disregarding cross-contamination and cross-contact, it’s important to keep a food processing facility divided to an extent. Several smaller workspaces versus one larger workspace can keep workers in their own designated spaces and also help prevent clutter.
3. They Separate Cleaning & Sanitization Tools
Cross-contact is common in food processing facilities. However, the use of color coding in this industry, because it can help divide workspaces, and helps communicate to staff what goes where (and what doesn’t go where).
Not only will workers be able to tell what foods are to be prepped or packaged in which workplaces, for instance, but they will also be able to separate cleaning and sanitization based on such.
As an example, a worker will know not to use the same cleaning and sanitization tools where red meat is handled as well as where dairy is handled, thanks to clear color coordination.
4. Color Coding Promotes an Organized Workplace
A facility with color coordination makes the space seem much more simplified and, thus, more organized. And we’re not talking about just visually, either, but also in terms of how employees work and function.
For instance, the clear communication color coding offers makes it easier to train new employees and keep current employees doing the right thing. Color coordination helps them maintain an organized mind, upkeep a clean space, and even learn faster. In turn, this makes them more efficient workers.
5. Your Facility Will be Less Likely to be Shut Down
Auditors absolutely love food processing facilities that offer a color coordination system. For them, this means it’s easier to inspect your facility. Not to mention, they’ll have greater confidence that your facility is doing everything it can to prevent cross-contamination and cross-contact.
Conclusion
Color coding is an easy-to-integrate tool in the food processing industry. In fact, there’s not a single facility that can’t benefit from incorporating it. From helping to prevent cross-contamination to promoting a more organized workplace, there’s a lot to gain by incorporating a color coding system in the food processing industry.
