At food processing facilities across the country, cross-contamination prevention, reducing labor, and cutting chemical costs are of the utmost importance. No matter how extensive its sanitation protocols are, what happens outside the facility can still have serious consequences inside the facility.

Summertime is naturally a season when food safety issues come to the forefront for individual consumers. Outdoor barbecues, graduation parties, and all types of casual gatherings are opportunities for food borne pathogens to thrive. With Food Safety Day, a Congressional initiative to create a single food safety agency, and a symposium on the topic, this seems to be the time of year that the industry has renewed focus on this important issue.

In a recent case study, we discussed the successful removal of biofilm* from a clean-in-place system at a major ready-to-eat food manufacturer’s facility.

The presence of biofilms in a food processing environment can be devastating to a brand, especially if a recall is required due to an outbreak. In addition to the health risks to consumers, persistent biofilms can impact productivity in a facility and contribute to product loss, both of which can be costly to companies. Identifying products that are able to remove biofilms and creating a daily sanitation schedule should be a top priority for every food safety quality assurance manager. 

Escherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli, is a type of bacteria that exists in the intestines of animals, including humans. Many types of E. coli are harmless, and in fact can be beneficial to the digestive system. However, certain types of E. coli can cause illness or even death. One particular class of E. coli, known as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), can be particularly life-threatening. Here are four key facts that food processors need to know.

Decon7 is often asked about the history of D7. Although it was originally developed for defense and homeland security applications, we saw that this powerful chemistry had potential in other areas, including the food and biosecurity industry. To provide deeper context, we asked Dr. Mark Tucker, a key member of the team that developed the technology behind D7, to share his insights about the product.