From February 2013 newsletter
Antimicrobial surfaces in food manufacturing
A member subscription-funded research project is evaluating the
effectiveness of antimicrobial surfaces and validating appropriate
methods for their assessment, so that the food industry can be
more confident in their use.
Ensuring that contact surfaces are able to be cleaned and kept
clean is a key prerequisite in any food or drink manufacturing
operation. Surfaces can be impregnated or coated with a biocide
or technology that generates a biocide, or with substances that
make the removal of micro-organisms easier. All of these types of
surfaces may be termed 'antimicrobial'. A number of surface
antimicrobial technologies are already commercially available.
However, the efficacy of surface antimicrobial technologies in the
food manufacturing environment has still not been established and,
as such, their usefulness in contamination control is unconfirmed.
However, if effective, they could provide enhanced food safety,
quality and shelf life and help reduce food waste and cleaning
chemical use.
Long standing expertise
This work is building on our long-standing expertise in both the hygienic design of food processing equipment and the evaluation of cleaning and disinfectant efficacy, and will provide guidance on the suitability of various antimicrobial surfaces in different conditions.
Contact: Colette Jermann
+44(0)1386 842451
colette.jermann@campdenbri.co.uk