As anyone in the industry knows, restaurant operation involves strict requirements for food safety and cleanliness. One of the issues that can directly threaten compliance and consumer trust is mold. Undetected or unchecked mold can spread rapidly and can cause health code violations as well as health risks for employees.
Here’s a playbook for keeping your business mold-free, courtesy of Xtract Environmental, Colorado’s mold remediation experts.
Why and How Mold Grows in Commercial Kitchens
Mold proliferates in warm, humid, and poorly ventilated conditions—all of which commonly occur in busy commercial kitchens due to regular activities such as cooking, dish washing, and food scrap disposal. The presence of dishwasher steam, constant cooking, and grease buildup contributes to “microclimates” of humidity around appliances and sinks.
Out-of-sight locations are also often overlooked in daily cleaning and may provide the perfect conditions for mold growth. Train staff to check and clean under sinks, refrigerator door seals, and at the rear of food preparation tables.
In addition to following rigorous, daily cleaning protocols in your kitchen, watch out for other scenarios that may create better conditions for mold:
- Water that accumulates through leakages, spills, or dripping on pipes and vents. This leakage may be inside cabinets or even in between walls, so check these overlooked spaces regularly.
- Poor ventilation that traps the humidity in the enclosed space, especially walk-ins or appliance backs. Be sure to clean fans and vents regularly to remove grease and particulate buildup.
- Food sources for mold that are allowed to build up in unseen areas—behind stoves, dishwashers, storage shelves, and around plumbing fixtures.
Mold Remediation and Prevention
When mold has been found in a business kitchen, rapid action is necessary.
- Identify the source
- Isolate the area to stop the spread of mold spores.
- Dispose of all contaminated materials
- Clean and disinfect: Use EPA-registered cleaning products on affected areas.
- Dry thoroughly: Develop policies to prevent moisture buildup in the future.
Prevention needs to be a part of your standard kitchen care routine as well:
- Check for leaks and condensation regularly, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
- Clean and dry floors, walls, and equipment between shifts.
When to Call the Professionals
Standard cleaning and preventive maintenance can be done by staff, but if you encounter a widespread mold outbreak in your facility, professional services are required to ensure complete and permanent remediation. A certified mold remediation services firm like Xtract Environmental can:
- Detect concealed areas of mold.
- Determine the extent of contamination
- Recommend professional-grade solutions, such as HEPA filtration, industrial-strength cleaning products, and moisture-mapping tools.
- Prevent reoccurrence at its source
- Document remediation work for compliance records and health inspections.
Don’t wait until a massive outbreak is discovered—thoroughly check your commercial kitchen for signs of mold daily, and be vigilant about preventative measures to maintain a clean, compliant, healthy, and profitable restaurant.
And if mold gets out of hand, contact Xtract Environmental right away. We’ll get you cleaned up and back on your burners in no time!