| Painting contractors know that the food processing | | | | processing facilities because it is protecting the |
| industry have some of the most difficult | | | | populace against health-threatening pathogens such |
| requirements when it comes to food safe floor | | | | as e. coli, listeria or salmonella. These pathogens thrive |
| coatings applications. Food products, after all, require | | | | in poorly-processed food and unsanitary |
| special care in processing and handling, and the | | | | environments, and can be transmitted to the |
| environment where these products are processed, | | | | food-consuming community. |
| specifically the floor coatings system, must guarantee | | | | Food processing plants are required to maintain clean |
| a food-safe facility. | | | | areas at all times. This includes floorings that should |
| Foremost of these requirements are the | | | | be easy to clean and sanitize. This means that these |
| environmental conditions in most food processing | | | | products are durable and tough against sanitizing |
| facilities, which is not like just any ordinary production | | | | chemicals and the frequent cleaning process. |
| plant. Food preparation areas are filled with constant | | | | FDA Food Safe Floor Coatings and Finishes |
| human and mechanical activities, such as loading, | | | | Section III of the Food Establishment Plan Review |
| packing, cleaning, food assembly, storing, and the like. | | | | Guide covers the FDA's design, installation and |
| Then there are the ingredients -- oils, acids, and | | | | construction recommendations for food facilities. Part |
| chemicals -- that are commonly handled or spilled on | | | | 10 of this section covers specific guidelines on floor |
| facility floors. Any of these environmental conditions | | | | finishes. |
| require for food safe floor coatings systems resistant | | | | Quarry or commercial grade vinyl composition tile, as |
| to this kind of daily abuse. | | | | well as seamlessly-poured and sealed concrete are |
| The second consideration is that food processing | | | | the approved finishes for kitchens, food preparation |
| plants naturally fall under the influence of the Food | | | | and storage rooms, and the waste disposal and |
| and Drug Administration (FDA), which requires food | | | | washing areas in food manufacturing facilities. This is |
| manufacturers and processors to comply with its | | | | also true for walk-in refrigeration and freezer areas, |
| safety and health regulations. Food safe floor | | | | with the addition of stainless steel and poured |
| coatings systems should be able to support the | | | | synthetic materials. The use of any materials aside |
| regulated standards on sanitation and safety set by | | | | from these must be submitted to the FDA for |
| the FDA. | | | | evaluation and approval. |
| FDA Flooring Systems Regulations for Food | | | | The reason why these finishes are acceptable is that |
| Processing Plants | | | | they make for smooth, non-absorbent and |
| The FDA has safety and hygiene regulations that | | | | easy-to-clean floorings. Additionally, food safe floor |
| require strict compliance from the food processing | | | | coatings of epoxy-, silicone- or polyurethane-based |
| industry. Food processors will not be able to operate | | | | materials are required to maintain the flooring |
| without certification from the FDA. Even existing | | | | performance and provide long-lasting performance. |
| plants are still in danger of being fined or shut down if | | | | FDA regulations do not cover any specific floor |
| the FDA finds evidences of non-compliance. There is | | | | coating formulation, per se. The material composition |
| also the possibility of forcible product recalls, urged | | | | of the coatings is what is considered in determining |
| by the FDA, should a quality inspection reveal | | | | food safe floor coatings. Non-toxic materials are |
| violations of the standards. Any of these situations | | | | preferred, as well as materials that would not provide |
| could cost the plant significant business losses. | | | | an environment for harmful pathogens or food |
| The FDA has stringent quality guidelines for food | | | | contaminants to proliferate. |