The ultimate guide to galley hygiene: cleaning must-haves

Proper galley hygiene is vital for several reasons:

1) Prevention of Foodborne Illnesses 
A clean galley minimizes the risk of bacterial contamination and food poisoning. Biological hazards such as bacteria, viruses, molds, yeasts, or parasites can contaminate food, especially raw ingredients. Proper storage, handling, and hygienic practices by food handlers play a significant role in maintaining food safety on board.

2) Compliance with Regulations 
Galleys are subject to inspections under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 20061, which mandates high standards to avoid potential hazards. Compliance ensures the health and safety of crew members, passengers, and visitors.

3) Crew Performance 
The quality and quantity of food directly affect the crew's health and performance. A clean galley ensures that nutritious and safe meals are prepared, contributing to the overall well-being of the crew.

4) Fire Safety 
Regular cleaning, especially of hoods and vents, prevents grease buildup, which can be a fire hazard.

5) Cross-Contamination Prevention 
Separating raw and cooked foods, using separate equipment, and regularly cleaning surfaces are essential to prevent cross-contamination.

6) Environmental Health 
Regular cleaning and disinfection of all areas, including floors, surfaces, and equipment, contribute to a healthy environment that reduces the risk of disease transmission.

To maintain a hygienic galley environment, crew members should wash their hands thoroughly and frequently, remembering that wearing gloves is never a substitute for washing hands between tasks, use color-coded cutting boards, regularly clean and disinfect surfaces and manage waste effectively.

Wilhelmsen Ships Service has developed the Unitor™ Easyclean Galley Pack to address the unique challenges of maritime cleaning. This standardized range of galley and accommodation cleaning products ensures consistent application and compliance with regulations.

Advanced Features of Easyclean Galley Pack

• Comprehensive Cleaning Solution: The pack provides a standardized range of products for all major galley cleaning tasks, simplifying the cleaning process and reducing the risk of misuse for wrong application. It includes essential products for maintaining a clean and healthy galley.
• Standardization: Wilhelmsen's cleaning products are accessible worldwide, providing consistency and reliability in supply.
• Cost-Efficiency: Concentrated products reduce storage needs and the environmental impact, promoting sustainability and reducing overall costs.
• User-Friendly Design: Products feature pictorial instructions for ease of use, ensuring correct usage regardless of language differences among crew members.
• Environmentally Conscious: The cleaning chemicals in the pack are concentrated cleaning solutions, that can reduce packaging waste and transportation emissions, contributing to a smaller carbon footprint. These products are designed to limit the negative impact on naturally occurring microorganisms, making them environmentally friendly.

Contents of Easyclean Galley Pack
The 778872- Easyclean Galley Pack includes:

• Easyclean Floor & Hard Surface (10l)
• Easyclean Dishwash Liquid Manual (12 X 1l)
• Easyclean Liquid Hand Soap D (6 X 2l)
• Easyclean Hand Sanitizer (6 X 2l)
• Easyclean Oven & Grill (6 X 0.6l)
• Easyclean Cleaning & Disinfection (10l)

Aquabreak PX
Aquabreak PX is a multipurpose cleaning and degreasing agent that is part of the Unitor™ product line. It is not part of the Easyclean Galley Pack, but it complements galley cleaning efforts. Aquabreak PX is a multipurpose cleaning and degreasing agent that is low-toxic, non-caustic, and biodegradable. 

It has received the Nordic Swan Ecolabel and NSF approval, making it acceptable as a general cleaner (Category Code A1) and floor and wall cleaner (Category Code A4). This means it can be used to clean all surfaces in and around food processing areas, provided that its use is not intended for direct food contact.

Easyclean Equipment Pack

Unitor's Easyclean Galley Pack does not include Easyclean Equipment Pack (Product number: 770036). 

However, mixing stations are essential for proper dilution and application of the concentrated cleaning products in the pack. These products offer easy installation and use, ensuring precise and consistent dosing. It reduces chemical consumption, eliminates the need for lifting and handling open chemical pails, and ensures compliance with regulations.

• UNITOR MIXING STATION 4-4
• UNITOR MIXING STATION 4-14

The Hand Care Dispenser provides efficient and hygienic dispensing of hand soap and sanitizer.

• Unitor™ Hand Care Dispenser 2

Reusable bottles for various cleaning purposes increase efficiency by providing convenient and environmentally friendly options for handling and applying cleaning chemicals.

• 6 X 0,6l; Easyclean Re-Usable Bottle W&M (Empty)
• 6 X 0,6l; Easyclean Re-Usable Bottle B&T (Empty)
• 6 X 0,6l; Easyclean Re-Usable Bottle C&D (Empty)
• 12 X 0,6l; Easyclean Re-Usable Bottle F&Hs (Empty)

Their absence forces users to rely on manual handling methods, which can compromise ease of use and dosing accuracy. It's important to note that the  Equipment Pack is critical to achieving the optimal effectiveness of Easyclean products, while ensuring cost efficiency and proper hygiene practices in the galley.

By implementing proper galley cleaning practices and utilizing comprehensive cleaning solutions like the Unitor™ Easyclean Galley Pack, ship operators can ensure a safe, healthy, and efficient galley environment for their crew members.

Regular cleaning activities should include frequent cleaning of all working and eating surfaces, disinfection of galley floors and scuppers, removal of condensed grease and fats on extraction hoods, and applying daily cleaning routines as directed by the Master. Proper training and communication between the Master and the ship's cook are essential to maintain consistent hygiene standards.

In conclusion, maintaining galley hygiene is critical for the health, safety, and performance of the crew. Unitor’s Easyclean Galley Pack offers a reliable and efficient solution to meet these needs, ensuring a clean and compliant galley environment on board ships.