Complete Guide to Hygienic food factory equipment: From Sinks to Boot Washers
- Gilwood
- May 28
- 3 min read
Creating a Hygienic Barrier at the Food Factory Entrance
Preventing contamination starts at the door. In food manufacturing environments, the food factory entrance - also referred to as a hygienic entrance or hygiene lobby - is the first, and arguably most critical, line of defence in maintaining hygiene. A well-designed entrance setup with hygienic food factory equipment not only helps meet compliance requirements but also sets the tone for a food safety-focused culture throughout the factory.
Hygienic entrances typically feature a combination of equipment designed to enforce good hygiene practice before personnel can access high-care zones. These areas are vital for meeting food safety standards and help mitigate the risk of product contamination, recalls, and audit failures.
What Is a Hygiene Lobby in a Food Factory?
A hygiene lobby - also known as a hygienic entrance or food factory entrance - is a dedicated area that ensures all staff follow essential hygiene procedures before entering production zones. While configurations vary depending on facility size and risk level, they usually include equipment such as:
Dispensers for hairnets, gloves, overshoes, and protective clothing
Wash troughs and soap dispensers for effective hand washing
Automatic or manual boot or sole washers to remove dirt and bacteria from footwear
Hygienic food factory equipment:
Dispensers
Accessible, hygienic, and easy to refill, dispensers are designed to store and issue protective items such as hairnets, beard covers, disposable gloves, and overshoes. These help prevent foreign body contamination and maintain product integrity.
Wash Troughs
High-quality stainless steel hand wash sinks are essential in any hygiene lobby or food factory entrance. Gilwood offers both wall-mounted and freestanding options, which can include soap dispensers, knee or sensor activation, and paper towel or air dryer integration for complete hand hygiene compliance.
Manual and Automatic Boot Washers and Sole Washers
Footwear carries a high risk of contamination in food processing areas, making cleaning and sanitisation essential. Gilwood’s automatic boot and sole washers ensure that boots and shoes are thoroughly scrubbed and sanitised. These can be installed in-line with access control systems or placed at hygienic entrances and entry/exit points of specific zones.
Access Control Integration
Some food factories include turnstiles or gate systems that restrict entry until all hygiene steps (hand washing, footwear cleaning, PPE application) are completed. This helps enforce compliance and maintain a consistent hygiene protocol at every food factory entrance.
Why Invest in a Hygienic Entrance?
A hygienic entrance isn’t just a box-ticking exercise—it’s a critical part of any robust food safety strategy. The right setup reduces the risk of contamination incidents and demonstrates a proactive commitment to hygiene and compliance.
Key benefits include:
Improved food factory hygiene and reduced risk of cross-contamination
Audit readiness with equipment designed to meet strict industry standards
Streamlined workflow by combining multiple hygiene functions in one area
Durability and cleanability, with all stainless steel equipment designed for easy maintenance
Gilwood: Built for Hygiene, Engineered for Food Factories
Gilwood designs and manufactures a full range of stainless steel hygiene equipment tailored specifically for the food and beverage processing industry. With all production carried out in-house using precision laser technology, Gilwood ensures outstanding build quality, durability, and hygiene performance.
Our product range includes:
Wash troughs
Custom hygiene lobbies and hygienic entrances to suit your space and compliance requirements
Maintaining Hygiene Standards from the Moment Staff Enter
Effective hygiene in food production doesn’t start on the line—it starts at the food factory entrance. By investing in the right equipment—including manual boot washers, sole washers, and industrial sinks—manufacturers can reduce the risk of contamination, meet compliance obligations, and protect the quality of every product that leaves the facility.
Ready to improve your food factory's hygiene setup?
Contact Gilwood today to discuss your requirements or request a tailored quote for your hygienic entrance. Our expert team is here to help you design the right solution—built for hygiene, engineered for food factories.
Comments