In 2019, there were 337 expensive food recalls issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS). Many of these recalls were due to undeclared allergens, foreign objects, or contaminates such as Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli (source). Oftentimes, these recalls could have been prevented by storing the food product properly and cleaning the equipment — such as a label applicator machine — appropriately.

The first step to ensuring you’re cleaning your equipment properly is to identify the type of labeler machine you’re using.

What Type Of Labeler Do You Use?

You’re most likely using one of the following common types of automated labeling systems in the food industry:

• Standard Labeler Machines: operate in basic labeling in environments where food products are not used. One example for this is a label applicator machine for boxes that hold pre-packaged and sealed products.
• Hygienic Labeler Machines operate in environments where automation equipment is in the same room where food is exposed or in the same room as both cooked and raw food exist or directly touches food products.

How To Clean Standard Labeler Machines

Many food manufacturers will “cook” the automation equipment on their production line. The process quite literally means to heat it up at a high temperature and goes a bit like this:

• Remove the equipment from the production line
• Wipe the equipment down to remove excess debris
• Bag the equipment so it doesn’t transfer any contaminants
• Relocate the equipment to a different room for cleaning
• Heat the room to a temperature to kill off any bacteria on the equipment
• Leave the equipment to cook for hours — sometimes overnight, also known as the “cleaning shift”
• Move the equipment back into the food production line and re-configure everything

This process is not only time consuming, it can cause room for error. The more exposure equipment has to heat and cold, the more likely its materials are to expand and contract, which can cause an imperfection. For example, rubber elements can dry out and break into the product or food. This type of imperfection is an example of a “foreign object” if it falls into the food or beverage product being produced; resulting in a possible recall. We often recommend checking your rubber rollers and other equipment often to ensure they’re operating up to code. After cleaning the system, the setup of the system will need to be confirmed and refined prior to starting the product.

For equipment that doesn’t need frequent cleaning, a standard labeler machine is an excellent option. It offers the high-efficiency and accuracy needed with automation equipment at a lower cost. If you’re operating in a food or pharmaceutical industry and need to meet strict regulations, it’s better to opt for a hygienic solution.

How To Clean Hygienic Labelers

With hygienic equipment and label applicators, you’re going to invest more up front in order to save time and resources in the long run. These machines can cost up to 5x more than a standard labeler machine. Their high quality materials and ability to meet strict FDA/3A regulations make them a premier machine. This type of automation equipment meets food-grade standards set by Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), the FDA and the FSMA.

Our hygienic labeler also has an IP69K rating. This means it can withstand high-temperature and high-pressure washdown conditions. It’s stainless steel construction diminishes the chances of collecting and breeding bacteria, and helps it resist the caustic solutions often used for cleaning. Most of the labeler is CIP and washdown ready, but some parts and accessories need to be removed before cleaning. These components need separate cleaning from the rest of the machine. After cleaning everything properly, the machine can be quickly re-assembled. So, what’s the benefit of owning a hygienic labeler? With the proper care, it can be one of the cleanest and lowest maintenance automation machines you own.

How Often Should You Clean a Label Applicator?

It depends. We know that’s not the answer you were hoping for. But, it does depend on the application you’re running and your frequency. We’ve seen labeler machines get cleaned once per day, once a shift, and often every eight hours.

Why Should You Clean Your Labeler Machine?

The obvious reason is one we’ve already stated; without proper cleaning practices and procedures, you’re prone to an expensive recall. And a recall can quickly turn into an outbreak which is cause for a publicity crisis. Trust us when we say that cleaning your automation equipment will help you protect your brand, your people, and make the world a safer place — yes, we went that far.

The other not-so-obvious reasons impact your return on investment and product output. When you have a labeler machine that is clean and functioning, you’ll likely experience less down time due to machine malfunctions.

What’s most important when cleaning your labeling machine is that you think of it in two parts — cleaning and disinfecting. Cleaning is the removal of debris like carbohydrates and proteins. Disinfection is “the processes by which micro-organisms are killed” (source). According to Food Safety Magazine, when cleaning you should think about the following factors:

• Detergent/concentration
• Time
• Temperature
• Physical action

When you’re disinfecting, you should think about the detergent you select. This detergent is what will kill off the leftover bacteria that weren’t removed during the cleaning phase. When considering a detergent, keep in mind toxicity, residues, temperature required, and more. In the end, it never hurts to over-prepare especially when you are producing products that will be consumed or used by millions of people.

If you’re ready to upgrade your production line to a cleaner and safer environment that’s easy to clean, we’re here to help. You can check out our hygienic equipment — the label applicator and friction feeders — or get in touch with us by clicking the button below.