Eco-Friendly Products

FDA Investigates Listeria Outbreak Linked to Frozen Vegetables

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*The CDC reports that eight people infected with the outbreak strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from three states (California, Maryland and Washington). Retailers and restaurants should not serve any of the recalled products and should dispose of them. If they do not know the source of their frozen vegetable products, they should check with the supplier.

Retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators who have processed and packaged any potentially contaminated products need to be concerned about cross contamination of cutting surfaces and utensils through contact with the potentially contaminated products.
Regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of cutting boards and utensils with Sani Clean may help to minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.

  • Wash and sanitize display cases and refrigerators where potentially contaminated products were stored.
  • Wash and sanitize cutting boards, surfaces, and utensils used to cut, serve, or store potentially contaminated products.
  • Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process

Listeria can grow at refrigeration temperatures in foods. Listeria can also cross contaminate other food cut and served on the same cutting board or stored in the same area. Retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators may wish to consider whether other foods available for sale could have been cross-contaminated from the potentially contaminated products, and should be discarded.
Whether it’s frozen or fresh organic, always wash your produce with Veggie Clean Antibacterial Fruit & Vegetable Wash as a safe way to dissolve bacteria and prevent food-borne illness.

FDA Recall- Listeria Outbreak

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The FDA recently performed a voluntary recall on packaged vegetables to help contain a listeria outbreak. Listeria is a foodborne bacterial illness that can be very serious for pregnant women and people with impaired immune systems. Listeria infection is most commonly contracted by eating improperly processed deli meats, dairy products and produce. See more about this withdrawal at www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/

Veggie Clean is a no-rinse vegetable sanitizer and freshener that works to prevent illness and to keep your veggies more fresh and crispy!
  • Free of alcohol and VOCs.
  • Non-Oxidizing wash free of chlorine, iodine, and QUACs.
  • Biodegradable with a long shelf life.
  • Clinically proven to clear bacteria like e-coli & listeria.

Call 844-SOAP-2-GO to place an order.

List of states included in the voluntary withdrawal:

  • Alabama
  • Connecticut
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Michigan
  • Massachusetts
  • Maryland
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Mississippi
  • North Carolina
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Virginia
  • Wisconsin

List of provinces included in the voluntary withdrawal:

  • Ontario
  • New Brunswick
  • Quebec

EPA Ban On Phosphate-Based Chemicals

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written by Wendy Koch- USA Today

Starting Thursday, 16 states will ban the sale of dishwasher detergents that contain high levels of phosphates, a source of pollution in lakes and streams. Stores will not be allowed to sell detergent with more than 0.5 percent phosphorous. The bans do not apply to commercial dishwashing products, and detergents for hand-washing dishes generally contain no phosphorus.

States instituting the rule include Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin, reports the Associated Press.

Some areas such as Spokane County, Wash., have had such bans in place for years.

“Phosphorous is like a fertilizer. It increases algae and aquatic weed growth in water bodies,” Bernie Duffy, natural resource specialist with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, told the AP. He said too much algae depletes oxygen needed for healthy fish and aquatic life.

Sewage treatment plants and private septic systems can remove much but not all of the phosphorous from wastewater, so some of it ends up in lakes, streams and rivers.

Cleanse Tec has launched a Bio-D product line that is a phosphate-free and environmentally safe.  Eco-friendly brands have gained in popularity due to these new guidelines.

Contact The Soap Mobile for product and ordering information: 844-SOAP-2-GO.

Keep Pests Out of Your Kitchen!

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Spring is Here– And So Are the Pests!

Ahhh.. spring.  The snow has melted, the sun is shining, the flowers blooming…and rats, mice and racoons have come out to play.  Not all critters are welcome guests, especially when you are trying to keep a clean and sanitary kitchen.  Pests can really put a damper on your reputation as well as your budget.  If they get into your kitchen, they can ruin your food, leave droppings and other messes and can scare customers away faster than you can say “rat poison”.  Here are some tips for keeping your establishment pest free.  And, of course, your SoapMobile representative is always available for tips and advice on ways to keep your kitchen spotless!

  • Pests are not invited to this party: Be sure to make that clear by cleaning up food scraps and other sources of food, repairing water leaks, and increasing ventilation.
  • Not getting past this velvet rope:  Make areas less accessible to pests by repairing holes and installing barriers.
  • Trap those buggers: If despite your best efforts, those pests still find their way into your business, use traps to catch and release them for a more humane way to treat the problem.
  • Exterminate when necessary:  Especially in old buildings like many in NYC, pest problems may have been going on for years and the problem is bigger than a few traps and precautions can handle.  As a last resort, bringing in the heavy artillery (exterminators) may be your best solution.  It is certainly better than trying to run a food business with a pest infestation!
  • In this case, trash is trash: Although we are typically an Earth friendly company, any products contaminated with pesticides should be sent directly to the landfill and not for recycling or reusing.

Keeping pests at bay is an ongoing and seasonal issue that affects almost every commercial kitchen.  Make it part of your business to ensure you follow the tips above and keep your space sparkling clean with products from The Soapmobile!