A kitchen refurb is a good time to update cleaning processes.
P&G Professional, owner of brands such as Fairy and Flash, has undertaken research highlighting consumers' concerns and hygiene requirements when eating out of home. This resulted in a report called First Moments of Truth, which showed kitchen hygiene was understandably high on the agenda.
Nine out of 10 customers want pubs and other outlets serving food to have visibly clean kitchens.
James Arnold, P&G Professional's marketing director, says: "To maximise the kitchen- cleaning equipment budget, branded cleaning products - when used correctly - could really help.
"Branded items often require less product to be used in order to get the same or better results as an own label variant.
"Using a dosing system for equipment such as dishwashers or a dosage pump, ensures a specific, accurate dose is used every time, eliminating unnecessary overuse and waste, allowing publicans to monitor usage and achieve better stock control.
"Branded cleaners not only often require less product to achieve great results, they also require less effort, with the benefit of reduced cleaning time and associated costs.
"Choosing well-known brands also shows staff that they are valued, as quality products have been invested in to help them do the best job they possibly can in the professional kitchen."
With this in mind, pubs need to ensure they invest in kitchen hygiene to meet this consumer expectation. One of the most important routine cleaning tasks in a pub kitchen or servery is to sanitise hard surfaces and equipment in food preparation and consumption areas.
Sanitising kills and removes bugs from the worktops, counters, tables, tools and other areas that can be an ideal breeding ground for infections.
The best sanitising products are 'broad spectrum' for use on a variety of surfaces and against a number of organisms. They should also be fast-acting, easy to use and leave areas clean and bright to create the best possible impression for customers and staff.
Suma Bac D10 from Johnson Diversey is a concentrated sanitiser that is effective against a wide range of food borne pathogens including E.Coli. Its formulation can be used to clean up accidental spills and as part of a daily regime.
The sanitiser also offers excellent cleaning performance and cuts quickly through grease and dried-on food soiling. Pre-cleaned and treated surfaces are left for 30 seconds before rinsing with clean water and are then allowed to dry.
It is suited for busy kitchens when used with the Divermite dosing system. The Divermite dispenser is wall mounted, with no plumbing or electrical connection required. A sealed pouch of Suma Bac D10 concentrate is inserted and a push of the dispenser's button ensures the correct dose is delivered every time.
The pouches are recyclable and can be compacted and folded after use. This results in 92 per cent less plastic waste than conventional packaging which reduces the overall environmental impact and maximises savings on disposal costs.
Using concentrated detergents reduces 'chemical miles' associated with transporting pre-mixed formulations because more product can be carried in a smaller volume.