Have you ever seen a chef merrily chopping away on hot peppers, tossing them into a dish, and never once complaining about heat on his hands?
The reality is that some people are not all that sensitive to capsaicinoids, which are compounds in hot peppers that deliver heat. Some peppers can be so high in capsaicionids (the primary ingredient of which is capsaicin) that even if they are diluted in 100,000 parts of water, they will still raise blisters on your tongue.
Some chefs seem to be able to stand capsaicinoids, but others not so much. Generally speaking, though safe handling of hot peppers is vital, and some kitchens will even have a Capsaicin MSDS (Materials Safety Data Sheet) in place.
What is a Capsaicin MSDS?
OSHA require that an MSDS be in place any time that there could be potential health hazards due to substances that require special handling. Of course hazardous products have to be labeled, but the MSDS will contain more information than that which is indicated on the label.
So, a capsaicin MSDS would provide information on how to use capsaicin safely. It would inform workers of possible hazards, like the dangers of getting capsaicin in the eyes. The MSDS would also provide recommendations as to what should be done if the product should end up being improperly handled – for example, a capsaicin MSDS would advise flushing with clear water if the product came into contact with the eyes.
Who Needs a Capsaicin MSDS?
Any food service, restaurant, or manufacturing facility that uses capsaicin should have an MSDS which would include information on potential hazards as well as first aid measures that should be taken if an employee should come into contact with capsaicin and not be protected by gloves, goggles, or other protective gear.
When Do I Need an MSDS?
If you are using something capsaicin, you should have an MSDS before you need it. You have to understand the hazards, and know how to safely store and handle this compound in addition to knowing what to do if an employee should be at risk of harm.
Can I Modify My MSDS?
Yes, you can. Depending on the product involved, you might want to add in specific instructions for your employees so that they know how to handle the hazardous material. When it comes to capsaicin, your MSDS might include instructions regarding wearing gloves when chopping hot peppers, washing hands thoroughly after preparing food, and directions to an eyewash station if the employee should happen to wipe his or her hands across the eyes after handling the peppers.
In short, include all the information that might be useful.
Should I Update My Capsaicin MSDS?
Yes. The nature of the food industry is that growers are always creating hotter and hotter peppers, and they are becoming more and more dangerous to handle. So always make sure that your capsaicin MSDS is up to date.