Choosing the Best Food-Grade Shovel For Your Food & Beverage Facility

When it comes to material handling in any food and beverage facility, choose a shovel that is food contact approved, lightweight, color-coded, and durable. Next up in Union Jack’s Product Battle Series is the “Shovel Battle” ... how will yours stack up?

Increase your Shovel IQ

When it comes to material handling in your food & beverage facility, you need to consider a number of factors in the tools/utensils you use to ensure you are FSMA and HACCP compliant. Otherwise, you could be cited for negligence in an FDA audit. You need to use shovels that are approved for food contact. There are a number of viable options that use FDA-approved plastic or  NSF approved stainless steel. Both are hygienic by design, including one-piece construction, making them easy to clean / sanitize.

Plastic is optimal because it is lightweight (reducing back strain), color-coded and won't damage stainless steel equipment. Color-coded plastic shovels form a strong foundation for GMPs/FSMA and any HACCP food safety program. They are excellent visual aids for staff and segment zones to prevent cross-contamination from allergens, chemicals, etc.  

Let's take a look at our plastic shovels that are food contact approved:

Remco Large Shovel with 14" Blade

This large, hygienic shovel is the workhorse for any food processor and ideal for moving bulk materials. It is injection-molded in one piece from FDA-compliant polypropylene, making it lightweight and durable. It is safe at working temps up to 176° F and available in 12 colors for HACCP food safety programs. If you need a smaller version, the  Remco Small Shovel has a 10" blade. 

Remco Dual Grip Shovel with 14" Blade

This one-piece polypropylene shovel is tough, lightweight and ergonomic. It is molded from FDA-compliant materials, and features an over-sized D-grip and second grip that may also be used as a foot push. It is especially effective and helpful when scooping materials that are heavy by nature. This shovel comes in 5 colors to support your HACCP food safety initiatives. 

Large Ergonomic Sieve Shovel

This 13.7" sieve shovel will make sifting and draining bulk materials less of a chore. It features an ergonomic design and an elongated D-grip handle to reduce strain when bending and lifting. It is made from injection-molded polypropylene, thus lightweight and sturdy. It comes in white color only.

Metal Detectable Large One-Piece Shovel

This Remco large, one-piece polypropylene shovel is FDA-compliant and includes a semi-ferrous additive for use in conjunction with a metal detectable system. This takes food safety to a new level and still has the benefits of color-coding (available in 4 colors).

Retail Shovels Don’t Stack Up

All shovels are not created equally. Opting for lower cost, non-hygienic products is hard on your back and even harder on your budget long-term. Plastic that is not rated for high temps will soften or break down into your food/beverage. Wooden handles pose additional risks: splintering, holding bacteria when not sealed/laminated, and are often sealed with laminates containing chemicals considered dangerous by California’s Proposition 65 law. Metal shovels can scratch your stainless steel equipment, corrode or spark.

Below is a summary comparison of our top-selling, FDA-compliant shovel with a common retail shovel:

"Love this shovel! Great tool for scooping grape skins. One-piece construction makes it easy to clean and sanitize. A durable workhorse in the winery! Thanks!"
- Owner, Country Spring Vineyard

Make the right choice and check out more details on our shovels at  https://www.unionjacktools.com/shovels/.

Union Jack -- Your Partner in FSMA /HACCP Compliance