​A non-food grade shovel that ends up in a food processing work area isn’t just a minor problem — it’s a cross-contamination event. It's a cross-contamination event. Color-coded food-grade shovels give processing facilities a simple, visual system for keeping tools where they belong.
Bunzl Processor Division is your leading single-source distributor for food and meat processing supplies and equipment. We carry a wide range of food-grade shovels for processing environments, including color-coded polypropylene and stainless steel options from trusted manufacturers.
What Makes a Shovel Food-Grade?
Not every shovel belongs in a food processing environment. Food-grade shovels use safe materials that won't leach into product. They also resist moisture and bacteria. Furthermore, they hold up under the cleaning agents that daily sanitation requires.
Polypropylene ranks among the most common materials for food-grade shovels. It is durable, light, and resistant to most cleaners. For example, the Vikan color-coded, hygienic shovels available through Bunzl use FDA-compliant polypropylene and are made of molded one-piece construction that eliminates areas where bacteria can gather. Vikan designed them specifically for industrial food handling use.
Vikan Polypropylene One-Piece Shovels are made from FDA compliant materials and are available with a small 11” x 14” blade or a larger 14” x 17” blade. These shovels are chemical- and corrosion-resistant.
For tougher tasks, stainless steel shovels may offer a better fit. Specifically, our Sani-Lav stainless steel shovels carry NSF/ANSI Standard 2 food equipment certification. Sani-Lav fully welds each shovel with no seams where particles can collect. Additionally, an electropolished finish resists corrosion and makes cleaning faster.
Why Color-Coding Food-Grade Shovels Matter
Color-coding is a visual system. It assigns colors to tools based on their zone or product type. In a food processing facility, a shovel in a raw beef zone stays in that zone. Similarly, a shovel for poultry doesn't cross into a ready-to-eat area.
The color makes each assignment clear at a glance. As a result, no one has to rely on memory or labels that fade over time. That matters in a busy plant where many people handle the same tools on different shifts.
HACCP programs treat cross-contamination as a hazard that needs documented controls. Indeed, a color-coded tool system is one of the most direct controls a facility can use. New employees pick it up quickly. It also works across language barriers. Furthermore, it creates a clear record of zone separation that holds up during audits.
See our published guidance on color-coding for processing facilities. This includes systems by zone, by surface type, and by product species. Our resource gives any facility a strong starting point for building or refining its program.
Selecting the Right Food-Grade Shovels for Your Facility
Selecting the right food-grade shovels comes down to the task, the setting, and the zone's sanitation needs. However, material choice is usually the first decision to make.
For dry ingredient handling and general floor use, polypropylene shovels offer a strong choice. They weigh less than stainless steel, which cuts fatigue on long shifts. They also come in multiple colors to support a full zone-based system.
For wet areas or zones that need NSF-certified tools, stainless steel is the better option. In contrast to polypropylene, its non-porous surface holds up under heavy washdown and doesn't take on moisture or odors over time.
Handle length and blade size matter too. Larger blades move more material per scoop, which helps with bulk tasks. Shorter handles, on the other hand, give operators more control in tight or overhead spaces.
Maintaining Your Food-Grade Shovel Program
Color-coding only works if the program stays consistent. Damaged, faded, or misplaced shovels undermine the whole system. As a result, regular checks are essential. So is prompt replacement of worn tools. Furthermore, clear storage rules that keep color groups apart help the program stay effective over time.
Bunzl Processor Division carries food-grade shovels, forks, and scoops across a range of colors, materials, and sizes. Sourcing the full program through one supplier keeps color use consistent and reordering simple.
If you have any questions about food-grade shovels that fit your requirements, call us at 800-456-5624 or chat with us online. We’re always happy to discuss solutions.
