Food Safety
search
Ask Food Safety AI
cart
facebook twitter linkedin instagram youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • Sponsored Insights
    • Sponsored White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • NEWSLETTERS >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • ASK FSM AI
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!

Birko Head and Tongue Wash system

Birko head and tongue wash
January 21, 2020

Company: Birko

Website: www.birkocorp.com

Equipment Snapshot: Beef harvest plants are known to use a lot of water for sanitation programs. Not only does that mean using a disappearing resource, but also high operation costs. Processors need to pay to pipe in water, heat it and treat outgoing water. In addition, some areas of the country experiencing drought-like conditions are enforcing stricter standards on water usage.

The patented Birko Head and Tongue Wash is proven to effectively wash heads and tongues while reducing water consumption in plants significantly. The system works by capturing each head and tongue as they enter the cabinet and spraying water with 3-dimensional, contoured arbors that oscillate, following the heads and tongues. The arbors shut off between washes and move back to the front of the cabinet to capture the next head and tongue.

A large beef processor ran a 90-day test for the Birko Head and Tongue Wash system. The results confirmed that water consumption was reduced from 14 gallons per head and tongue to seven gallons per head and tongue. The system also reduced wash time per head and tongue from 12 seconds to six seconds. Because the Head and Tongue Wash cleaned the heads and tongues effectively, the system reduced labor costs by up to $100,000 annually by eliminating the need to wash the parts manually.

Looking for quick answers on food safety topics?
Try Ask FSM, our new smart AI search tool.
Ask FSM →

Share This Story

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Meat/Poultry
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Training
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    Risk Assessment
    By: Shamini Albert Raj M.A. and Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M.
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to Newsletters
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • an automated industrial production line used in a modern food factory
    Sponsored byIFC

    A Formula for Food Processing Pest Management

  • fly
    Sponsored byOrkin Commercial

    Fly Control in Food Processing Facilities: Managing Seasonal Food Safety Risks

  • Darkling Beetle
    Sponsored byElanco Animal Health

    Integrated Pest Management: Protecting Poultry Operations as Seasons Change

Popular Stories

naturally colored cupcakes with sprinkles

Natural vs. Artificial Ingredients in Baking: What Food Manufacturers and Consumers Need to Know

dry instant noodles pack

Salmonella-Contaminated Instant Noodles Sicken Dozens of Children Across Europe

different cuts of carrots

USDA Researcher Identifies Key Cold Storage Temperature for Maintaining Microbial Safety of Work-in-Process Fresh-Cut Produce

building a skilled workforce ebook

Events

July 21, 2026

Using AI Responsibly in Food Safety Management Systems

Live: July 21, 2026 at 2:00 pm EDT: This webinar will provide participants with guidance on how to effectively use generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to develop key components of a food safety management system (FSMS).

August 6, 2026

Beyond Sanitation: Understanding the Hidden System Conditions That Allow Pathogens to Persist

Live: August 6, 2026 at 2:00 pm EDT: Attend this webinar to learn strategies for strengthening environmental control programs through a layered approach to pathogen management.

August 11, 2026

Beyond Sanitization: Reducing Contamination Risk Without Raising Operating Cost

Live: August 11, 2026 at 2:00 pm EDT: Attend this webinar to learn why ambient air is the largest and most overlooked contamination zone in food processing, and what it costs you between scheduled cleans.

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Birko Will Launch Industry-Changing Head and Tongue Wash with the Protection with Precision™ Suite at IPPE

    See More
  • Birko launches new Mobile Mister Sanitization Solution

    Birko launches new Mobile Mister Sanitization Solution

    See More
  • New Madison Chemical ProClean® PAN WASH is Ideal for Manual or Automatic Washing Operations

    Madison Chemical ProClean PAN WASH

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 9781138198463.jpg

    Food Safety Management Programs: Applications, Best Practices, and Compliance

  • 9781498762878.jpg

    Food Safety and Protection

  • food safety.jpg

    Food Safety Contaminants and Risk Assessment

See More Products
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

Newsletters | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing