Radical, an innovative UK company, has developed a sanitization system for the food processing industry based upon water oxidation.\u00a0 Their machine creates high concentrations of ozone in a dedicated water supply. The process then goes on to create hydrogen peroxides and hydroxyl ions.\u00a0 These substances are powerful biocides that dissipate readily after the decontamination of target surfaces.\u00a0 This new, viable and cheap alternative to chlorine based methods was featured in Food Quality News in May of 2009.<\/p>\n
It is a highly effective method for killing harmful microorganisms that are associated with common food borne illnesses.\u00a0 Some of the bugs destroyed include salmonella and e-coli bacteria.\u00a0 In addition to all sorts of bacteria, it will eliminate viruses, yeast, and molds.\u00a0 Getting rid of these pathogens vastly improves hygiene wherever this device is used.<\/p>\n
A powerful electric current is passed through water to create unstable forms of oxygen.\u00a0 Precautions are taken so personnel do not breathe in any ozone generated during this process.\u00a0 Most of the O3 is used in the formation of more efficient biocide chemicals (such as H2O2) that then actively react with any biologic agent present.\u00a0 These are so powerful that they will not linger in the environment for long periods of time.\u00a0 This makes surfaces or objects processed with this\u00a0method safe to handle after a short waiting period.<\/p>\n
Some advantages of Radical over traditional chlorine based systems are its:<\/p>\n
Radical Steritrox Ltd is based out of Stockport just southeast of Manchester England.\u00a0 They have a number of sales offices that handle regions throughout the entire UK.\u00a0 The company pioneered this method of sanitization without the use of chlorine in 2004. They call it Steritroxing and now have a full line of many different products to handle various client needs.<\/p>\n
A number of trials have been performed throughout the UK food industry.\u00a0 Independent analysis has also been conducted by the Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association and Manchester University.\u00a0 These studies assessed the efficacy of this method to eradicate 8 major targeted organisms including listeria. After 3 continuous years of these trials, no problems have been identified.\u00a0 The method is extremely efficient and effective.<\/p>\n
In November of 2008, it was announced in a press release that Hartley Farm Foods had installed this Radical water system for sanitization at their Nelson Lancashire production facility.\u00a0 Executives and management at the Hartley farms expressed their opinion that this is the most advanced sanitizing system available on the market today.\u00a0 They plan to use it during all their food processing.<\/p>\n
At a major Midlands food processing facility, 1800 cubic meters of space was completely sanitized in less than an hour.\u00a0 This was done without the application of expensive and dangerous chemicals.\u00a0 Prior to the use of Radical\u2019s water based sanitization system at that site, the food company had experienced a major outbreak of listeria.\u00a0 The new system resolved this contamination issue – hopefully for good.<\/p>\n