By Morten Larsen, CEO & Founding father of EcoloxTech and Francine L. Shaw, meals security specialist, Founding father of Savvy Meals Security, and creator of “Who Watches the Kitchen?”

Meals companies throughout the availability chain have a duty to maintain meals – and shoppers – secure. But, sadly, meals security breaches preserve occurring.

In late 2023 alone, there have been a number of incidents involving multi-state produce recollects. Essentially the most broadly publicized foodborne sickness outbreak concerned salmonella-tainted cantaloupe, which sickened tons of of individuals nationwide, and even killed not less than 10 shoppers. Across the similar time, peaches, plums and nectarines offered at nationwide retail places, and Recent Specific spinach, offered throughout a number of states, have been doubtlessly contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which may trigger critical, typically deadly infections, and needed to be recalled. 

And whereas tainted produce has appeared like a standard incidence recently, it hasn’t been the one supply of meals security breaches. Keep in mind when Chipotle’s a number of foodborne sickness outbreaks made headlines? Clients’ diseases have been traced again to Chipotle staff – in several places – who labored whereas sick with norovirus, which unfold to the meals – and the company. Cross-contamination could have occurred from staff not correctly washing their palms, then touching meals and meals contact surfaces. Disinfecting and sanitizing the meals and surfaces with HOCI would have doubtless helped forestall the unfold of the pathogens.

As 48 million individuals get sick and three,000 die from foodborne sickness within the US annually, the meals trade should work proactively – with each device at their disposal – to stop these meals security breaches from taking place.

Meals security breaches are 100% preventable, so why do they preserve taking place? And what can we, as an trade, do to cease them? 

HOCI: A safer, simpler method to disinfect and sanitize 

Now, suppose for a second that your meals enterprise had washed your cantaloupe, peaches, spinach, or different produce with Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) – a strong, versatile, secure disinfectant and sanitizer – earlier than processing it. When meals companies pre-wash produce with HOCI, it eliminates dust, feces, and different contaminants that would sicken (and even kill) shoppers. HOCl is non-toxic, food-safe, eco-friendly, and 80-100x stronger than bleach, making it a most well-liked sanitizer alternative for a lot of processors, producers, retailers, eating places, and different meals manufacturers.

Utilizing HOCI in your produce – in addition to your surfaces and gear – may doubtlessly remove dangerous pathogens and assist forestall the following diseases, damaging fallout, and nationwide recollects. HOCI may additionally assist remove norovirus on meals and surfaces, which brought about such huge issues for Chipotle throughout their foodborne sickness outbreaks. As we’ve repeatedly seen, meals security breaches could cause extreme (and costly) monetary, authorized, and reputational injury for companies – in addition to critical, widespread diseases for his or her prospects.

Why is HOCI a greater choice?

HOCI is generated by way of electrolysis, combining salt and water to create an answer that incorporates hypochlorous acid, a strong sanitizing agent. HOCI is of course shaped in numerous environments, together with the human physique, enjoying a vital position in disinfection and sanitation. 

HOCI is turning into extra broadly utilized in quite a few industries – together with foodservice, hospitality, healthcare, journey, and many others. – due to its effectiveness in killing micro organism, viruses, and different pathogens, and its compliance with CDC, FDA, and EPA rules. As a result of its security and effectiveness, HOCI is predicted to achieve a extra important following in 2024 and past.

Notably, HOCI is:

Efficient. HOCI kills micro organism, viruses, fungi, and different pathogens, and is extraordinarily efficient in opposition to MRSA, COVID, Influenza, and Norovirus, in addition to frequent foodborne pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. 
Compliant. Importantly, HOCI is compliant with CDC, FDA, and EPA rules, making it a gold commonplace disinfecting and sanitizing choice.
Non-toxic, eco-friendly, and 80-100x stronger than bleach. Pre-washing produce with HOCl eliminates dust, feces, and different contaminants that would sicken shoppers. HOCl is non-toxic, sustainable, and secure to make use of on meals. Not like another sanitizers which will depart dangerous residues, HOCl breaks down into easy saltwater after use, posing no danger to shoppers or the surroundings.
Environment friendly. Since HOCl doesn’t should be rinsed off surfaces or meals, it saves time, effort, and water. It is a important benefit in meals processing environments, the place pace and effectivity are essential. And since HOCI is a really robust oxidant, the response time in comparison with bleach, lactic acid and peroxide-based sanitizers is way shorter, even at low focus. 
Odorless and tasteless. HOCl doesn’t depart any odor or style behind, important for sustaining meals high quality and traits, making it the popular alternative for meals processing purposes and water therapy. In distinction, ozone can typically depart a definite scent or style. 
Versatile. HOCl can be utilized in numerous purposes, together with meals, floor, and gear disinfection. It may be used as a dip wash, spray, and fog. Meals manufacturers can shortly cowl massive areas utilizing a ULV Fogger or electrostatic sprayer. 
Protected and straightforward to deal with. HOCI is usually safer and simpler to deal with than different forms of sanitizers and disinfectants, and HOCI has an extended shelf life. HOCl may be utilized in numerous methods – as a liquid, spray, or fog. Whereas it’s secure and straightforward to deal with – and there’s no specialised gear required – respected producers and correct coaching are important.
Non-hazardous to human (and environmental) well being. HOCl is non-toxic, eliminating the dangers for respiratory points, whereas ozone may be hazardous to human well being if inhaled in important portions. Additionally, HOCl breaks down into innocent substances (primarily water and salt), whereas ozone can produce dangerous by-products in sure circumstances. 

More and more, meals companies – together with processors, producers, distributors, retailers, eating places, and many others. – are discovering the various advantages of HOCI. In reality, they’re discovering that HOCI is the only option to disinfect and sanitize their meals, gear, and surfaces. Depend on HOCI to maximise meals security and reduce dangers by disinfecting and sanitizing successfully, sustainably, and responsibly. 

Morten Larsen is CEO & Founding father of EcoloxTech, which is main the best way in eco-friendly disinfection options, uniquely utilizing Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a naturally occurring, eco-friendly disinfectant that has gained recognition for its confirmed effectiveness in killing micro organism, viruses, and different pathogens, together with MRSA, E. coli, COVID, Influenza, and Norovirus. 

Francine L. Shaw is a meals security specialist, podcaster, founding father of Savvy Meals Security, creator of “Who Watches the Kitchen?”, and a profitable entrepreneur, and speaker who spent 30+ years working within the foodservice trade.