The world is a mess. Actually, that sounds far too mild. It’s a disaster. Dirty games are being played on the geopolitical stage. Innocent civilians are the victims of the excess testosterone displayed by the rampaging power-hungry rulers on this planet. How I’d love to clean it all up. Just grab a pressure washer, a bucket of soapy water, and a mop to scrub that whole devilish mess clean. If only it were that simple. And who am I to decide what or who is unwanted, and what or who isn’t?
Mice in the kitchen? Those are unwanted. Clear. No debate there. You don’t want them scurrying around over your counter, through your cupboards, or in your production area. Which brings me to my middle child. She’s now living on her own, in a cheerful student house in a lively university town. Ever since, we’ve had more text traffic—mostly questions about household issues.
Hey mom, random question… can you store garlic in the cupboard, or does it need to go in a container or something?
Hey mom, do you know the name of that sweet soy sauce we eat with sushi?
Hey mom, what cleaning product do you use for the shower, toilet, and kitchen? Different ones, right?
Hey mom… is rat poison dangerous if it gets on your hands?
“Hmmm… just don’t lick it, at least,” I reply. I scratch my head. Are there other now-banned substances standing in the back of their kitchen cupboards? Do students even read the instructions on packaging? Do they understand what that skull and crossbones symbol means? Should I tell her about my near heart attack?
I washed my hands thoroughly afterward. Doesn’t really matter though. I’m still alive.
Well, that’s good. Apparently, I can breathe a sigh of relief.
Compared to letting go of your kids as they learn to stand on their own two feet, the world of cleaning is a whole lot simpler and more straightforward. Right? When it comes to the fact that Listeria, Salmonella, and molds are unwanted in production areas, and that bits of meat must be removed from machinery before the next day’s production begins, hey - there’s no question about that! The dangers are well-known.
I’m not a fan of “yes, but…” excuses. But still: when it comes to how to clean exactly - whether during downtime or while machines are running, for instance - and with what products, it turns out things aren’t so straightforward after all. You could easily fill an entire trade journal every year just on that topic.
Judith Witte
judith@vakbladvoedingsindustrie.nl
Source: Vakblad Voedingsindustrie 2024