Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is essential in any food-related industry, whether it be catering preparation or food manufacturing and processing plants. Proper cleaning practices can prevent the buildup of harmful substances such as grease, oils, and grime that can pose a threat to both staff and customers.

In the UK, laws and regulations exist to ensure that commercial kitchens are kept clean and meet health and safety requirements. This article will discuss the importance of commercial kitchen cleaning, referencing UK laws such as TR19 and others.

Why is commercial kitchen cleaning important?

A clean kitchen is not only essential for maintaining a healthy environment, but it is also important for ensuring the safety and quality of food products. Food safety can be compromised when bacteria, dirt, and grime accumulate on kitchen surfaces, utensils, and equipment.

Proper cleaning practices are necessary to prevent contamination and ensure that food products meet safety and quality standards. In addition, regular cleaning can prevent the buildup of harmful substances that can cause fire hazards, such as grease in extractor systems.

Meeting legal requirements

In the UK, laws and regulations exist to ensure that commercial kitchens are kept clean and meet health and safety requirements. One such regulation is TR19, which provides guidelines for the cleaning and maintenance of ventilation systems in commercial kitchens.

TR19 recommends that ventilation systems in commercial kitchens are cleaned at least once every 12 months or more frequently depending on usage. Other regulations that commercial kitchens must adhere to include the Food Safety Act 1990, which sets out requirements for food safety and hygiene, and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which sets out general health and safety regulations.

Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines, legal action, and damage to reputation.

Best practices for commercial kitchen cleaning

To ensure that a commercial kitchen meets legal requirements and maintains a clean and hygienic environment, it is important to follow best practices for cleaning. Some of the best practices include:

1. Regular cleaning: Regular cleaning should be done to prevent the buildup of dirt, grease, and grime. It is recommended to clean kitchen surfaces and equipment daily, while high-level cleaning should be done at least once a year.
2. Use of appropriate cleaning products: Using the right cleaning products is important for ensuring that surfaces and equipment are properly cleaned and disinfected. It is recommended to use products that are food-safe and approved by relevant regulatory bodies.
3. Cleaning of ventilation systems: Ventilation systems in commercial kitchens should be cleaned at least once a year to prevent the buildup of grease and other substances that can pose a fire hazard. TR19 provides guidelines for the cleaning of ventilation systems in commercial kitchens.
4. Training of staff: Proper training of staff is essential for ensuring that cleaning practices are followed correctly. Staff should be trained on the proper use of cleaning products and equipment, as well as the importance of hygiene in a commercial kitchen.

Commercial kitchen cleaning services

Many businesses opt to hire professional commercial kitchen cleaning services like those provided by APT to ensure that their kitchens meet legal requirements and maintain a clean and hygienic environment. These services offer a range of benefits, including:

1. Expertise: Commercial kitchen cleaning services have the necessary expertise and experience to ensure that cleaning is done correctly and efficiently.
2. Compliance: Our expert team are familiar with legal requirements and ensure that all cleaning is done in compliance with regulations.
3. Convenience: Hiring a commercial kitchen cleaning service can save time and effort, allowing business owners and staff to focus on their core business activities.
4. Quality assurance: Our professional cleaning services offer a level of quality assurance, ensuring that the cleaning is done to a high standard.

In conclusion, kitchen extract and duct cleaning is a vital aspect of maintaining a clean and safe environment in commercial kitchens. Neglecting to clean the kitchen extraction systems can lead to serious fire hazards, and the accumulation of grease, oils, and grime can create unacceptable health and safety risks to staff and customers.

In the UK, laws such as TR19 have set industry standards for kitchen extract and duct cleaning to ensure that these systems are regularly cleaned and maintained to prevent fire hazards and maintain a safe and hygienic environment for food preparation. It is important for businesses to comply with these regulations to avoid legal and financial consequences.

By using APT’s professional commercial kitchen cleaning services, businesses can ensure that their kitchen extraction systems are cleaned to industry standards, and that their entire kitchen is thoroughly cleaned and maintained. These services can also provide a full range of commercial cleaning products to ensure that the food preparation area is kept up to current industry standards.

Overall, maintaining a clean and safe commercial kitchen is essential for any food-related business. By prioritising kitchen extract and duct cleaning and complying with industry regulations, businesses can ensure the safety and satisfaction of their customers while avoiding legal and financial consequences.

To schedule your complimentary site survey, or for some general advice on when to carry our cleaning on your commercial kitchen, contact us today.