Specialized UniFirst Garment Services for Healthcare and Food Industries Excel in Lab Analysis
July 11 2016 - 8:11AM
Scientific testing by an independent laboratory has proven that
specialized laundering processes offered by UniFirst Corporation
(NYSE:UNF) to clean and maintain both healthcare and food industry
garments can reduce bacterial contamination levels on workwear by
greater than 99.9 percent. Tests indicate that the UniSafe® Service
for food-related businesses, and the UniFirst Garment Service for
Healthcare, can return employee work garments to customers
hygienically clean and virtually pathogen-free.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/07af0c4b-eb79-4afa-beee-f6f8cb979460
UniFirst’s hygienic laundering processes were tested by
scientists at the North American Science Association (NAMSA) of
Northwood, Ohio, a microbiology consulting service and Good
Manufacturing Practice independent testing laboratory with
expertise in contamination controls for the medical device
industry. NAMSA measured reductions of some of the most common
classes of pathogens found on healthcare and food industry work
apparel, including bacteria, yeasts, and molds—all recognized as
dangerous sources of cross-contamination. NAMSA’s analysis
demonstrates that UniFirst’s specialized garment processing can
kill virtually all organisms tested.
The UniSafe Service for food-related businesses and the UniFirst
Garment Service for Healthcare, offered through the company’s
managed uniform rental programs, are specialized hygienic
laundering and handling services specifically designed to help
minimize contamination threats on garments worn by employees. Given
the publicity surrounding several large-scale food contamination
events, as well as the rise of antibiotic-resistant organisms such
as MRSA, companies are increasingly concerned with controlling
sources of potential cross-contamination. If work garments are not
hygienically laundered with services designed specifically to
minimize risks, pathogens can remain active and may continue to be
a source of contamination.
“We’re obviously pleased that our UniSafe Service and the
UniFirst Garment Service for Healthcare passed these microbial
tests with flying colors,” says Adam Soreff, director of marketing
and communications for UniFirst. “The studies validate that our
specialized services can effectively reduce microbiological
contamination levels on related work garments, killing more than
99.9999 percent of pathogens. This is great news for our many food
and healthcare industry customers.”
The UniSafe Service program is based on principles set forth in
Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Global
Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) application guidelines, and
identifies and mitigates risks involved with food contamination.
UniFirst Garment Service for Healthcare is designed to combat
organisms most commonly associated with healthcare-associated
infections (HAIs). The risk of HAIs increases each year, with
nearly 2 million Americans developing some form of an HAI. “As
portal-to-portal procedures that begin at customer facilities and
extend through all garment handling, laundering and finishing
processes, UniFirst’s specialized programs offer options that leave
our customers with peace of mind when it comes to safety,” Soreff
says.
The test results are documented and available to the public in
the recently published white papers “UniFirst UniSafe® Service and
Product Protection Process: Workwear Solutions for Food Product
Safety” and “UniFirst Garment Service for Healthcare and Product
Protection Process: Workwear Solutions for Healthcare Industry
Safety.”
The UniSafe Service and the UniFirst Garment Service for
Healthcare are available throughout the U.S. and Canada via more
than 225 UniFirst service centers. As part of the company’s managed
uniform rental service programs, healthcare and food-related
businesses receive scheduled pickup and deliveries, laundering,
garment repairs and replacements, and overall program management.
To download the white papers or for more information, visit
UniFirst.com/UniSafe and UniFirst.com/Healthcare.
About UniFirst
Headquartered in Wilmington, Mass., UniFirst Corporation
(NYSE:UNF) is a North American leader in the supply and servicing
of uniform and workwear programs, as well as the delivery of
facility service programs. Together with its subsidiaries, the
company also provides first aid and safety products, and manages
specialized garment programs for the cleanroom and nuclear
industries. UniFirst manufactures its own branded workwear,
protective clothing, and floorcare products, and with over 225
service locations, 275,000 customer locations, and 12,000 employee
Team Partners, the company outfits more than 1.6 million workers
each business day. For more information, contact UniFirst at
800.455.7654 or visit www.unifirst.com.
Meghan Marcus
PR/Communications Specialist
UniFirst Corporation
68 Jonspin Rd.
Wilmington, MA 01887
978.527.3974
Meghan_Marcus@unifirst.com
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