Food production is one of the dustiest industries. One in five decision-makers in food and beverage acknowledge that their facilities don’t address dust adequately.

Non-compliance poses a serious risk to businesses of all sizes. In 2016, the HSE fined a bakery company in the UK £36,000 for failing to meet standards.

In 2019, the US Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) conducted severe additional inspections. They refused entry to 5 million lb of meat and poultry, and 5,000 lb of eggs.

From 2014 to 2018, the most common factor in occupational asthma cases across the UK was exposure to flour.

In the food and beverage industry, contamination can occur through the whole production process, not just during processing. Potential contaminants include natural toxins, metals and other inorganic materials, and pollutants.

The WHO has found that prolonged exposure to unclean indoor air can cause acute respiratory syndrome. They have also linked particulate matter in the air with reduced productivity.