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I came across an article in Food Safety Management that discussed how integrating pest management procedures is critical component of food safety programs. Various types of facilities handle food products each and every day. And each facility has its own unique risks for attracting pests, as well as standards and rules that pest management professionals must adhere to when servicing these sites. Below are some quick parts I pulled out of the article that I felt were most relevant to our customers.
Dry-Food Facilities
Dry-food facilities process foods and products of a dry nature. These facilities include, but are not limited to, flour mills, rice mills, mix plants, confectionary or candy production, feed mills and seed and bean processing. These facilities can attract a multitude of pests, in general, dry-food facilities are susceptible to pests that can survive for long periods without easy access to water, such as beetles, rodents and birds.
Wet or Liquid-Food Facilities
Wet or liquid-food facilities often have a moist environment. These facilities include, but are not limited to, beverage plants, bottling plants, breweries, canning facilities, dairies and wineries. In general, the high levels of moisture in these facilities will support pests that need water to thrive, such as cockroaches and flies.
Food Retail
The food retail category includes a large array of settings, such as bodegas, grocery stores and supermarkets. As these facilities vary greatly in size, they can attract a variety of pests, such as cockroaches, flies, rodents and the occasional bird or squirrel. Additionally, some pests that infest retail facilities will be location dependent.
Restaurants and Foodservice Facilities
An infestation in a restaurant setting can result in more than just food contamination. Just one pest-related incident can lead to hefty fines from health departments, damage to the restaurant’s reputation and temporary or, in more severe cases, permanent closure.
As with food retail facilities, a varied array of pests, such as cockroaches, flies, rodents and ants, tend to be of the utmost concern for restaurant operators. Restaurateurs need to implement stringent preventive controls, including a strong pest management program with regular inspections to combat potential contamination resulting from pests.
Contact Zenpura Pest Solutions today for help with any of your pest management needs.
