Organic food producers face the same food sanitation issues as their non-organic counterparts. In food processing facilities, producers must regularly sanitize the environment to keep pathogens at an acceptable level. In facilities that process organic food, producers must take extra care to ensure that no prohibited substances are introduced. This is why it is essential to choose the right products and follow the recommended protocols.

One of the biggest challenges for food processing companies is balancing the demands of production and sanitation. Although essential, food sanitation takes time and is disruptive to production schedules. The downtime required to go through the seven steps of sanitation can potentially cut into the bottom line. The longer it takes, the more significant the impact is. 

Poor water quality on farms is a known issue that can harm product quality. For farms that use animal water drinking lines, it’s essential to periodically clean and sanitize them, especially if they go unused for long periods. 

Although bacteria indeed thrive in wet or humid environments, they can also grow in dry conditions. Once introduced, bacteria and mold can continue to grow if they are not properly treated with a sanitizer or disinfectant. 

Frank Yiannas, Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), aims to usher in a new era of food safety. Historically, the FDA has focused more on the pharmaceutical side of the organization and has not been proactive about food sanitation and safety, especially when compared to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This lack of attention has led to an antiquated, reactive approach to food safety. Yiannas believes that it’s time to modernize food safety and shift from a reactive approach to a proactive one.

Tiffany Earp has been a Regulatory Compliance Scientist since June 2021, but she wears many hats at Decon7. We interviewed her to learn more about her professional and personal interests and what excites her about the future of her career at Decon7.

There are many moving parts in a firefighter's work, so the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) has created an extensive list of standards to ensure a consistent approach based on proven best practices. The NFPA is a global, self-funded nonprofit organization created in 1896 to address fire hazards and reduce the risk of death, injury, property damage, and economic loss. In addition to creating codes and standards, the organization also provides training, education, outreach, research, and advocacy. 

The health risks to firefighters extend well beyond the immediate threats of flames, heat, and smoke. The fact is that toxic chemicals remain on turnout gear long after leaving the fireground, potentially resulting in long-term health effects, such as firefighter cancer and other chronic issues. Carcinogens on firefighter gear can also transfer to other areas, potentially contaminating vehicles, lockers, clothing, and personal effects. By using proper firefighter gear cleaning solutions, teams can reduce exposure to harmful carcinogens.