Sanitary strainers are making a tremendous difference in the hot dog industry by keeping food safe. Unfortunately, foodborne illness is still a significant problem in the food industry. According to information that has been published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 48 million people contract some form of foodborne illness each year. This leads to close to 150,000 hospitalizations. Furthermore, about 3,000 people die each year from foodborne disease.
Through the hard work of medical researchers, more than 250 possible diseases have been identified. Because of this, it is important for everyone to understand how hot dogs are made, where these health and safety concerns arise, and how sanitary strainers can keep everyone safe.
How Hot Dogs are Made
There are several steps involved in the production of hot dogs. First, high-quality meat is ground up into small pieces and added to a mixer. There, stainless steel equipment blends together the meat, spices, and curing ingredients into a batter. This mixture is then pumped into casings which are typically cellulose and then removed.
As the casings are filled they are linked together. Then, they are taken to a smokehouse where they are cooked under careful conditions. Sometimes, they change the wood surface to add a little color and flavor. Finally, the hot dogs are vacuum-sealed to preserve their freshness and flavor.
Common Hot Dog Health and Safety Concerns
There are several common issues that arise during the hot dog production and manufacturing process. Some of these include:
Contamination with Inedible Ingredients: One of the most common issues that arises during the manufacturing process is contamination with inedible ingredients. Sometimes, during their production, the hot dogs themselves are contaminated by objects such as metal and plastic. This can be a serious safety issue to the consumer and has been the reason for multiple recalls.
Contamination with Bacteria: Another common problem with hot dog production is contamination with some form of pathogen. One of the common culprits is called Listeria Monocytogenes which can cause severe symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. Severe cases can even put people in the hospital. Listeria can also cause meningitis.
Injury During the Production Process: As hot dogs are being made, metal and glass shards can end up near the processing equipment. It is relatively easy for an employee to injure themselves on these fragments, so proper safety precautions need to be taken.
While these problems may sound serious, an industrial food strainer can help keep everyone safe.
Industrial Sanitary Strainers Can Produce Safe and Regulated Hot Dogs
There are a number of benefits of using an industrial food strainer. Some of the benefits of these industrial-strength food strainers include:
- An industrial sanitary strainer can handle everything from a small batch run to a continuous 24/7 operation
- These strainers will function well at multiple speeds ranging from a slow-flow operation to a high-volume production
- These industrial strainers for food are corrosion resistant which will minimize the chances of metal fragments ending up in the food
- The food processing mesh is resistant against biological contamination and will reduce the chances of foodborne illnesses
These benefits help produce safe, regulated, and flavorful hot dogs.
The Takeaways
Some of the most important points include:
- Foodborne illnesses are a major problem and lead to millions of illnesses every year
- There are several common health and safety issues that arise during the hot dog production process which include contamination with both bacteria and inedible objects
- Industrial-strength food strainers and food processing mesh can reduce the risk of contamination
Therefore, anyone who would like to learn more about industrial food strainers and their benefits should contact SaniClean Strainers today. See how their strainers can help you and your hot dog production process!