Defective Seal as a Cause of Contaminated Milk: How Broken Seals Affect Food Hygiene

Damaged seals as a cause of contaminated food

Food contamination with germs occurs repeatedly. The role that seals play in this is demonstrated by the recently widely discussed case of contaminated milk. Products of the type "Fresh Low-Fat Milk 1.5% Fat" from the manufacturers DMK Deutsches Milchkontor GmbH and Fude + Serrahn Milchprodukte GmbH & Co. KG are being removed nationwide from the product ranges of various supermarkets and discounters. The reason for the recall is the contamination of the milk with the bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila / caviae, which can cause diarrhea and vomiting. According to experts, the bacterium was able to enter the milk through a defective seal. In this article, we explain the connection between food contamination and damaged seals and how you can avoid contamination.

Cause of germs in food: The function of seals in food handling

As the name already implies, seals are there to seal. In other words: Seals ensure that nothing penetrates from the outside and nothing escapes from the inside by preventing the exchange of different substances. In food production and processing, they fulfill the following important functions, among others:

• Prevention of contamination by foreign bodies, dirt, fungi, viruses, and bacteria
• Protection against leakage, slipping, splashing, etc.
• Establishment of clean rooms and cleaning and packaging under protective atmosphere
• Temperature control and maintenance of the cold chain

To minimize health risks when handling food, proper cooling is particularly important. In this area, seals ensure that food is consistently cooled down to a predefined temperature during storage in the refrigerator, cold room, refrigerated counter, or other refrigerated furniture. In addition, they prevent the formation of so-called cold and thermal bridges. This means that warm air from outside cannot penetrate into refrigerators & Co. and cold air cannot escape.

Bacteria in food: What dangers arise from a damaged seal?

While intact seals protect food from contamination, damaged or porous seals magically attract dirt, bacteria, and germs. This creates a serious threat to health. During operation, dirt and germs can accumulate directly at various points on the sealing rubber. Furthermore, porous areas open the gates for bacteria and viruses from the environment. In terms of cooling, the cooling circuit is interrupted because cold escapes from inside the refrigerator or another piece of refrigerated furniture. This process causes food to spoil faster.

Basically, anyone who works with food is affected by the risk of food contamination by germs. This risk can be minimized by regularly checking the installed seals for possible damage and by professional cleaning.

Avoid food contamination: Regularly inspect and clean seals

Seals are exposed to high stresses and must be regularly inspected, cleaned, and, if in doubt, replaced. Therefore, regularly inspect your seals for damage and definitely replace them if you discover leaky, porous, or hardened areas. If no defect is visible, thoroughly clean your seal at regular intervals. We have already written a detailed article on cleaning rubber seals. Clean seals help maintain food hygiene and prevent contamination. If dirt or grease can no longer be removed, we strongly advise you to purchase a new seal.