The Clear Contaminant

Steve Funk, Senior Cheese Technologist and Technical Sales Manager at Nelson-Jameson, recently authored an article in Food Quality & Safety magazine—highlighting a crucial yet often overlooked factor in reducing food safety risks: water.

In 2023, the USDA reported over 4,000,000 pounds of food recalls in the U.S. due to safety concerns. While tap water appears clean and clear, it is not entirely pure. Regulatory standards allow for a certain level of organisms and pathogens in potable water that may go unnoticed in a single glass of drinking water but can cause significant problems in a food manufacturing plant.

Ensuring the proper purification of this "clear contaminant" and understanding water's impact throughout the food production process is essential for maintaining high standards of food quality and safety. Steve Funk emphasizes that water plays a critical role at every stage of food manufacturing, from cleaning and sanitizing to ingredient mixing. By addressing the hidden threats in tap water, food manufacturers can significantly reduce the risk of contamination and protect consumers, and their businesses from the severe consequences of food recalls.

Outlined in digestible sections, Funk provides expert insight on the causes and solutions to purifying your water system for food production.