Why do food businesses need access control?

Humans as the largest source of contamination: The human body provides ideal conditions for germ multiplication: it is warm and moist. A person harbors a multitude of microorganisms, including streptococci, staphylococci, and intestinal bacteria such as salmonella, shigella, and Escherichia coli. We transmit most germs with our hands. An unwashed hand is colonized by approximately ten million germs.

These germs originate from the everyday environment outside of production: public transport, doorknobs, mobile phones, cash. Without effective access control, these microorganisms come into direct contact with food and production facilities. Even with existing hygiene regulations, practice shows that in the hectic daily operations, rules are not always meticulously followed despite all training and instructions.

Consequences of Inadequate Access Control

The consequences of insufficient personal hygiene can be dramatic: foodborne illnesses endanger consumer health and can be life-threatening in severe cases. For companies, contamination means product recalls with millions in damages, lasting image loss, and in the worst case, business closures by food authorities.

A single hygiene incident can undo years of brand building. In times of social media, negative news spreads rapidly. Investing in professional access control systems is therefore not a question of cost, but a matter of securing existence.

HACCP as a Legal Obligation

Since the entry into force of EU Regulation 852/2004, the application of HACCP principles has been mandatory for all food business operators in the European Union. HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points and describes a systematic concept for identifying, evaluating, and controlling hazards in food production. Access to production areas represents such a critical control point.

The HACCP system requires companies to analyze potential hazards and establish measures to control them. Uncontrolled access of personnel to hygiene-sensitive areas is such a potential hazard. Documented, traceable access control fulfills this requirement and simultaneously provides the necessary evidence for official inspections.

How Does Modern Access Control Work?

The Principle of Forced Guidance

Professional access controls operate on the principle of forced guidance. Access to the production area is physically blocked by a turnstile or sluice. This only releases passage once all prescribed hygiene steps have been demonstrably carried out.

Sensor-Controlled Operation

Modern systems are fully sensor-controlled and thus contactless. This not only reduces the risk of contamination from surfaces but also increases employee acceptance. The intuitive operation requires no extensive training and works independently of language skills.

Entrance Control with Integrated Sole Cleaning

While hand hygiene is established in most entrance controls, sole cleaning is often neglected. Yet, dirty shoe soles are one of the main causes of cross-contamination in food production. Parking lots, changing rooms, sanitary areas – microorganisms accumulate everywhere and are carried into hygiene-sensitive areas with every step.

Modern hygiene sluices solve this problem elegantly: while the employee disinfects their hands, their shoe soles are simultaneously cleaned and disinfected. Rotating brushes mechanically remove dirt, and disinfectants kill germs. PHT hygiene stations combine both functions in a compact unit. Activation is contactless via capacitive sensors in the handrail, which also ensures a secure stance. Self-cleaning brushes and tool-free maintenance minimize maintenance effort. During shift changes, the systems process several people per minute. Sole cleaning does not become a bottleneck but an integral part of the hygiene process.

Complementary Hygiene Solutions

For a holistic hygiene concept, the PHT Group offers additional components that can be seamlessly integrated into access control systems. Modular hygiene stations enable additional disinfection options at strategic points in the facility. Sole cleaning devices and floor drainage systems complete the concept.

PHT’s sensor-controlled handwashing troughs are ideal for areas where intensive hand cleaning is required. The hygienic stainless steel construction without dead spaces and the self-draining geometry prevent water accumulation, which could serve as a breeding ground for microorganisms.

PHT Group: Your Partner for Professional Access Controls in Food Production

The PHT Group specializes in state-of-the-art hygiene solutions used in hygiene-sensitive industries such as the food industry. Our products are designed by professionals for professionals and set new standards in terms of hygiene safety, ease of use, and serviceability.
From compact entrance control systems to combined hand cleaning and disinfection units and complete hygiene sluices, we offer the full spectrum of modern hygiene technology from a single source. All systems are characterized by hygienic design, durable construction, and intuitive operation.

Benefit from our many years of expertise in the food industry. We develop customized solutions for your specific requirements and support you from the initial needs analysis and planning to successful implementation.

Contact us for an individual consultation and learn how our access control systems can sustainably improve the safety and efficiency of your food production. Together, we will develop the optimal hygiene concept for your operation – so that you are perfectly prepared for every audit and inspection.

Schedule a consultation now and discover professional access control solutions for your food production!