Dempsey Uniform & Linen Adds Third Hygienically Clean Certification
Dempsey Uniform & Linen Supply of Jessup, PA has added Hygienically Clean Food Service certification to its credentials. The laundry previously earned the Hygienically Clean Healthcare and Hygienically Clean Food Safety designations, reflecting an extensive commitment to best management practices (BMPs) in laundering as verified by on-site inspection and their ability to produce hygienically clean textiles as quantified by ongoing microbial testing.
The certifications confirm the laundry’s dedication to compliance and processing linens and uniforms using BMPs as described in its quality assurance documentation, the focal point for laundry plant inspectors’ evaluation of critical control points that minimize risk. The independent, third-party inspection must confirm essential evidence that:
- Employees are properly trained and protected
- Managers understand legal requirements
- OSHA-compliant
- Physical plant operates effectively
In addition, Dempsey Uniform & Linen passed three rounds of outcome-based microbial testing, indicating that their processes are producing Hygienically Clean linens and garments and zero presence of harmful bacteria. To maintain certification, laundry plants must pass quarterly testing including yeast and mold detection to ensure that as laundry conditions change, such as water quality, textile fabric composition and wash chemistry, laundered product quality is consistently maintained.
This process eliminates subjectivity by focusing on outcomes and results that verify textiles cleaned in these facilities meet appropriate hygienically clean standards and BMPs for markets served. Hygienically Clean Healthcare requirements address the laundry needs of hospitals, surgery centers, medical offices, nursing homes and other medical facilities. Hygienically Clean Food Safety covers animal processing, dairies, fruit/vegetable, bakeries, grain and other food and beverage industry segments. Hygienically Clean Food Service certification is appropriate for laundry service to any location where food is served, including full- and limited service restaurants, hotels, hospitals and educational institutions.
Dempsey Uniform & Linen is the third facility in the Hygienically Clean program’s history (dates to 2012) to earn all three certifications. The others, Crown Linen Service, Brockton, Mass., and Miller’s Textile Services, Wapakoneta, Ohio, completed the trifecta in November and March, respectively.
The Hygienically Clean standard provides for two inspections every three years. The certifications incorporate the international cleanliness standards for linens and garments used worldwide by the Certification Association for Professional Textile Services and the European Committee for Standardization.
“Congratulations to Dempsey on their certifications,” said Joseph Ricci, TRSA president and CEO. “This achievement proves their dedication to building their customers’ confidence that their laundry takes every step possible to prevent human illness.”