Sanitization of Honey Extracting Equipment - Ask Extension
Hello,
If a honey extractor is used in a commercial kitchen that is currently licensed:
Do I need to sanitize the extractor before use for food ...
Knowledgebase
Sanitization of Honey Extracting Equipment #893582
Asked March 04, 2025, 11:38 AM EST
Hello,
If a honey extractor is used in a commercial kitchen that is currently licensed:
Do I need to sanitize the extractor before use for food safety purposes? (it is a brand new extractor)
If it should be sanitized between now or between uses, what chemical is used for honey production operations?
If the kitchen is itself licensed, do I still need the disclaimer label on the honey? "not processed in a kitchen..etc etc".
Thank you.
Calhoun County Michigan
Expert Response
To first answer the cleaning/sanitizing question - yes, you would want to clean/sanitize any equipment that is new, and also between uses. I did attach a Safe Cleaning & Sanitizing Fact sheet - which focuses on using bleach as the sanitizer. You can use other food safe sanitizers, I would just direct you to use according to the manufacturers guidelines. You can find out more about options by working with a food supply store (iodine and quaternary ammonium are a couple of other examples)
In regard to using a licensed kitchen:
In regard to using a licensed kitchen:
- You can process honey in this environment, but if you are selling under the exemption - you still have to use the statement "Processed in a facility not inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development"
- There is no rule that says honey can’t be processed in a licensed kitchen under the maple syrup and honey exemption.
- It is just important to realize that each food license is only usable by the business that was issued the food license.
- If you do not want to put the exemption statement on your products & be bound by the exemption rules, then you will need to apply for your own food license at the licensed kitchen.
