When it comes to vegetable and food processing, the procedures require a high level of hygiene. The building must be created in a hygienic design with ease to clean. Construction of food processing facilities must be specialized to prevent contamination during the processing. Contamination mostly comes from animals and insects, as well as, micro-organisms. Therefore, facilities must be constructed in a way to keep out these contaminants. FRARE GALLANT is one of the leading construction companies who are masterminds and the brains behind the construction of Agri-production facilities. Whether you are hiring them to build a new facility or transforming an old building, the following are basic considerations.
- Site
Choosing a great site for the building is one of the most important aspects. While at it, consider the following factors:
- Location of suppliers for raw materials and the market
- Availability of a waste disposal land not near the building
- Availability of amenities like water and electricity
- Possibility of prospective contamination sources
- Quality roads leading to various destinations
- Clear land around the building to prevent the problem of bugs and animals.
- Equipment
The selection of equipment will be based on the scale of production. Other factors to be considered should be the magnitude of the maintenance and cleaning process. Vegetables and food processing require basic items like scales, knives, and buckets. You must also consider specialized equipment for advanced processes. In short, you must consider all the processes and list down all the tools you need to complete the processes.
- Design of the Building
Generally, the food building should have ample space for all the operations without the congestion of packaging materials, raw materials, and final products. When deciding on the design and process of construction of the building, consider the following areas:
The Doors and Windows. When choosing windows, make sure they can keep away dust and allow enough natural light inside. Windows should have mosquito mesh to ensure insects cannot penetrate. Proper fitting of doors is important to keep off insects and animals. Unless the doors are used regularly, they should be shut all the time.
Walls and Ceilings. Walls must be well-plastered to ensure dust does not accumulate in the processing unit. There is need for a quality plaster to ensure there will be no cracks left on the wall. Different states have different requirements for internal finishes. Ensure you know about them. In places with tropical climates, overhanging roofs are ideal to keep away the direct sunlight. Take a look at different suitable roofs and ceilings for a food processing unit.
Other crucial things to consider should be;
- Sanitation and availability of water
- Proper lighting
- Flooring
- The layout of the facility and equipment.
- The Packaging Materials
There is a wide array of packaging materials you can use for food and vegetables. It would be a good idea to contact your manufacturer for various choices. Then, choose depending on the type of food you process. Green packaging is vital to ensure you preserve the precious resources of the environment.
Conclusion
The above are different aspects of establishing a food processing facility. The most important thing to keep in mind is that food production requires the utmost hygiene. Therefore, your location, facility setting, equipment, and packaging materials must be up to the standards.
