HACCP Considerations in Cleaning and Sanitizing Multi-Use Synthetic Garments
Protective apparel comprised of synthetic fabrics is used widely in the food processing industry. Although the lighter weight polyethylene aprons are designed for single use, some synthetic garments having a more durable composition are used multiple times before discarding. Problematic, however, is the ability to adequately clean and sanitize these garments between applications to provide a garment free of physical and microbial contaminants as required under regulatory performance standards established for the food industry under 9 CFR Subchapter E “Regulatory Requirements Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act and Poultry Products Inspection Act”, Part 416 “Sanitation” and Part 417 “Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems.”