Cleaning & Sanitation
Aligned with BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9 – Clause 4.11: Housekeeping and Hygiene
Requirement Overview
BRCGS Clause 4.11 requires that food production, storage, and handling environments be maintained in a clean and hygienic condition through clearly defined and implemented cleaning procedures.
Clause 4.11.1: “The premises and equipment shall be maintained in a clean and hygienic condition.”
Clause 4.11.2: “Documented cleaning procedures shall be implemented and maintained.”
Effective cleaning and sanitation prevent cross-contamination, protect product integrity, and form a key part of audit and regulatory compliance.
Key Compliance Objectives
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✓ Maintain hygienic premises and equipment
✓ Implement validated, documented cleaning procedures
✓ Train staff in sanitation methods and verification protocols
✓ Ensure cleanliness is visually, microbiologically, and allergenically verified
Step-by-Step Compliance Implementation
1. Develop and Document Cleaning Procedures
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Required Elements:
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• What to clean (surfaces, equipment, zones)
• How to clean (method, chemicals, tools)
• When to clean (frequency)
• Who is responsible (assigned personnel)
• Verification steps
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS)
• SOPs and cleaning work instructions
• Approved chemical list and MSDS
- • What to clean (surfaces, equipment, zones) • How to clean (method, chemicals, tools) • When to clean (frequency) • Who is responsible (assigned personnel) • Verification steps
- • Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS) • SOPs and cleaning work instructions • Approved chemical list and MSDS
2. Assign Trained Sanitation Personnel
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Team Responsibilities:
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• Execute cleaning tasks as per schedule
• Handle cleaning agents safely
• Document completion and sign-off of tasks
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Sanitation training logs
• Job descriptions with sanitation responsibilities
• PPE and chemical handling training records
- • Execute cleaning tasks as per schedule • Handle cleaning agents safely • Document completion and sign-off of tasks
- • Sanitation training logs • Job descriptions with sanitation responsibilities • PPE and chemical handling training records
3. Conduct and Verify Cleaning Activities
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Routine Execution Includes:
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• Daily, weekly, and deep-cleaning cycles
• Post-clean visual inspections
• ATP, swab, or allergen verification
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Completed cleaning records (signed and dated)
• Verification results and corrective actions
• Logs of non-conformances or missed tasks
- • Daily, weekly, and deep-cleaning cycles • Post-clean visual inspections • ATP, swab, or allergen verification
- • Completed cleaning records (signed and dated) • Verification results and corrective actions • Logs of non-conformances or missed tasks
4. Review and Improve Sanitation Effectiveness
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Verification Metrics:
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• Trends in microbiological and allergen results
• Internal sanitation audits
• Root cause analysis of contamination events
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Review meeting notes
• Updated MSS and SOPs
• Corrective/preventive action records
- • Trends in microbiological and allergen results • Internal sanitation audits • Root cause analysis of contamination events
- • Review meeting notes • Updated MSS and SOPs • Corrective/preventive action records
Common Audit Findings & Recommended Fixes
| Audit Finding | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Incomplete or outdated cleaning SOPs | Review and update all sanitation procedures regularly |
| Missed or undocumented cleaning tasks | Implement checklists with sign-off and verification |
| No verification of cleaning efficacy | Conduct ATP or allergen swabbing as routine verification |
| Lack of chemical control | Store, label, and document usage of all cleaning chemicals |