Remove Food Contamination with Paper Pallets

CHILD CHOKES ON PALLET SPLINTER FOUND IN BREAKFAST CEREAL

Thankfully a fictional headline, but one that would make any food business shudder and a lawyer sit up and pen an introduction letter to the afflicted family.

Whilst food contamination has reduced thanks to tighter regulations and standards, there is a rise of the ‘zero-tolerance’ consumer, which means there is more at stake and less forgiveness.

Some of us remember the days when stones found in bags of lentils would damage teeth and whilst this might never be 100% eliminated, it’s dramatically reduced. What this means is that as a nation, we (rightly) trust the food that is in our kitchen cupboard, is free from danger and hazard.

Ironically this makes the consumer less likely to check for foreign bodies and possibly more vulnerable to swallowing a choking hazard.

“We’re seeing a rise in enquiries from food based companies who have received complaints about contamination in their primary supply chain and are looking for a safe, clean, wood free pallet” commented David Rose, Sales Director for Pallite®. “They’re also very impressed with the capability of our Pallite® with some solutions designed to hold a tonne in open racking. They see it as a way to remove wood altogether from their factory floor”.

There is a guide in the market place that offers advice when it comes to using wooden pallets with food. It reads a little like this:

1. Ensure wooden pallets are free from splinters

2. Use a thick barrier liner (that will not be pierced between the wooden pallet and food products stored on the pallet)

3. Sieve all raw ingredients prior to use.

Whilst the instruction has its merits, it’s possibly unrealistic in many ways.

1. A wooden pallet is capable of producing a dangerous splinter at any time

2. A barrier between the pallet and goods might protect most of the time from bottom up, but what happens when a load is swung round in a tight area and the holding pallet rips into an adjacent bag?

3. Sieving raw ingredients? Is this done after every time it’s been anywhere near wood? Imagine the cost implications and what happens if the raw ingredients are bigger than a splinter?

Why not just use a robust pallet made from paper and glue, like the Pallite®?

“No food business or retailer wants to undermine the confidence the consumer has in their brand and generate the wrong headline. The new ‘zero tolerance’ consumer and the rise of Social Media ‘judge and jury’ platforms magnify the consequences” says Rose.

“We’re always happy to work with manufacturers and see what type of Pallite® is best for their needs. We believe there doesn’t need to be the reliance there was once on wooden pallets in the food chain.”

Pallite® is the brand name of the pallet manufactured by The Alternative Pallet Company Ltd.

Tel: 01933 283920

Email: marketing@pallite.co.uk

www.pallite.co.uk