Housekeeping and cleaning essentials for your ink room

20 hours ago

Continuing our series on navigating ink-related food safety standards

We’ve started a blog series that focuses on meeting the requirements of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). In our first post, we introduced the three main food safety management schemes for packaging printers and summarized eleven food safety standards related to ink.

We’re publishing dedicated blogs that explore each standard and we’ll also explain how our ink management solutions can assist you in meeting these requirements in detail. See our previous blogs on hazard analysis and risk management, record keeping, traceability and equipment maintenance.

This is a blog about the fifth standard, housekeeping and cleaning. For printers in the food industry, it is essential to select and properly use the right dispensing equipment, while maintaining a proactive approach to housekeeping and cleaning, to minimize contamination risks.

We will cover the relevant requirements of the GFSI-recognized schemes (BRCGS, SQF, and FSSC 22000) and our products and services that help you to comply.

Cleaning requirements in the three food safety management schemes

The criteria for housekeeping and cleaning can be found in:

Section 4.8 of the BRC Global Standard (BRCGS) for Packaging Materials
Sections 2.5 and 2.9 of FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification)
Section 13.2.5 of Safe Quality Food (SQF).

Below we summarize the requirements of these three schemes.

Cleaning procedures

Documented cleaning procedures must be maintained for buildings, equipment, and vehicles. Cleaning frequency and methods must be risk-based, ensuring appropriate cleaning standards are consistently achieved. The procedures should specify:

Responsibility for cleaning
Areas/items to be cleaned
Cleaning frequency
Cleaning methods
Materials to be used
Records and verification responsibilities.

Use of equipment, containers and trolleys

Equipment and containers coming into contact with water and foods should be designed and constructed to ensure that they can be cleaned, disinfected, drained, inspected and maintained. Transport trolleys should be clean, well-maintained, and designed to avoid contamination through emissions.

Equipment must be cleaned and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Cleaning tools and equipment must be identified, stored, and maintained to prevent contamination.

Cleaning detergents

Cleaning chemicals must be suitable, properly labeled, and used as per manufacturer instructions. They must be securely stored in designated, closed containers, and strongly scented chemicals or those causing odor contamination are prohibited.

Microbial contamination risks

A risk-based microbiological environmental monitoring program should be implemented, if appropriate, to ensure that cleaning minimizes microbial contamination risks.

Microbial contamination in water-based inks is a common problem, primarily because water-based systems provide an ideal environment for microbial growth. Microbial growth can lead to the formation of biofilms that clog valves or ink circulation lines, reducing operational efficiency. Some microorganisms produce acidic byproducts that may corrode your dispensing equipment.

GSE products: engineered for easy cleaning and ink contamination prevention

GSE equipment is easy to clean – a key consideration for maintaining a strict hygiene regime. Key features include:

Smooth, stainless steel surfaces:
GSE systems typically feature surfaces made from stainless steel materials that are durable, resist corrosion and are easy to clean. This applies to components like the dispense head area, conveyor rollers, and the connections for the drum and IBC containers.
Modular and accessible design:
- GSE equipment is designed to be easily accessed, disconnected and disassembled, allowing thorough cleaning and maintenance of internal and external parts.
- Our new range of roller conveyors feature removable stainless steel rollers and drip trays under the rollers to facilitate easy cleaning.
- Our Colormix range of blenders features a bucket filled with detergent or water. After blending, the mixing blade is lowered into the bucket, where it undergoes a thorough cleaning process.
- The flanges of our pump pulsation dampeners can be removed, allowing for easy internal cleaning and replacement of the damping element.
Preventing ink contamination:
- System design of the dispensing valve, pump, scale, pneumatics, controls, and machine learning ensures smooth, consistent ink flow during dispensing.
- Integrated wet-dry cleaning units beneath the dispense head automatically remove ink residues during or after each dispensing operation.

Wet and dry cleaning unit

- Adjustable height to position the container as close as possible to the dispense head, preventing ink splashes outside the container.
- The smart design of drum and IBC container connections prevents dripping when they are exchanged.

Following a print run or the processing of press-return inks, containers often retain residual ink. To effectively clean these containers with water-based ink residues, GSE provides advanced bucket and drum washers.

GSE services to comply with housekeeping and cleaning requirements

With each installation, GSE provides a user manual with a plan and instructions for cleaning. These instructions are tailored to the specific design and function of the machine, providing guidelines on how to clean it properly.

Most maintenance work involves limited cleaning and component inspections. For various operations, such as cleaning the dispense head and valves, GSE provides standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The 5S Program can help by fostering an organized, clean, and systematic work environment.

Establishing effective ink room cleaning procedures

We suggest creating documented procedures for cleaning your ink room and offer the following guidelines to assist you:

Make one person responsible for the cleaning
Follow the cleaning instructions in the equipment manual regarding the areas and items to be cleaned, the frequency, and the methods. For a dispensing system, the procedures are as follows:
- Immediately remove and clean all existing and visible ink contamination
- Perform a daily check to ensure the correct quantity and quality of the cleaning agent in the cleaning units. The equipment is supplied with two sets of cleaning units, and we recommend rotating these units daily. After use, place the removed unit in a bucket filled with cleaning solution for optimal maintenance.
- Although the dispense head is cleaned automatically, it is vital to maintain human oversight, in compliance with the standards. Perform a daily inspection of the dispense head plate and the bottoms of the dispense valves, cleaning them with a sponge or cloth as needed.
To avoid static electricity, use a slightly damp cleaning cloth. DO NOT USE A DRY CLOTH!
NEVER use water to clean, such as with a water hose, under any circumstances.
Ensure you use the correct cleaning agent, ideally the one originally supplied with the equipment.

How we can help you in your compliance journey

Housekeeping and cleaning is key to food safety in the printing industry, and meeting GFSI standards is crucial. With effective cleaning procedures, the right tools and detergents, and proactive equipment care, contamination risks can be minimized.

GSE’s smartly engineered products and tailored cleanability and cleaning solutions simplify compliance. Stay tuned for more insights on food safety standards and how GSE can support your compliance journey.