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UV-C treatment for better control of food quality

Articles FOOD PRODUCTION
08.11.2022
UV-C treatment for better control of food quality - Light Progress
A well-known quote stated "You're what you eat", a thought that is increasingly relevant and common in this historical period in which consumers are increasingly attentive to the choice of product and the supply chain that accompanies it before arriving in the aisles of the supermarket and on our tables.
This means that the large manufacturing companies intervene in terms of safety and control to ensure quality and peace of mind to the final consumer.
The use of UV-C rays has been part of food production for over 50 years.
It has been proven that UV-C treatment eliminates E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria and other food-borne pathogens and is a safe and proven way to prolong the shelf life of food and drink.
 In terms of applications, UV-C devices can be installed:
-inside food banks to protect against contamination.
A large percentage of the products displayed in the counter are withdrawn due to loss of early freshness of the product, or even worse due to deterioration. This is caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, moulds and their spores, which propagate through the air and circulate inside the counter, causing cross-contamination between foods.
Upstream of this, careful management of the conservation and quality process takes place in the production phase.
Analysing a production line, we can identify several points where the presence of a germicidal UV-C source is of fundamental importance:
-Surface treatment of the product, eliminates any contaminated surface agent.
-Treatment and control of the air quality in the working/production department. The air conveys the microorganisms, treats it and purifies it from these elements ensures greater protection of the product, eliminating the risk of premature deterioration.
-Treatment during the packaging phase: for example for the disinfection of packaging films, conveyor belts, bottling lines and carousels for the disinfection of bottles and their closure capsules, as well as treating the same food products, decontaminating the surfaces of belts, products, packages, etc. from germs.
The use of UV-C is a proven method to improve safety and prolong the shelf life of many food products.
This technology does not pose a risk to food and beverage safety.
To find out more, visit our website https://food.lightprogress.it/it/

 

F.A.Q.

Ultraviolet rays are electromagnetic waves which are part of light. Electromagnetic waves are divided into three main wavelength bands, expressed in nanometers, nm: Ultraviolet rays (UV) 100-400 nm Visible rays (light) 400-700 nm Infrared rays (IR) 700-800,000 nm UV rays are in turn identified in three bands:

  • UV-A (315-400 nm) with tanning properties;
  • UV-B (280-315 nm) con proprietà terapeutiche e di sintesi della vitamina "D";
  • UV-C (100-280 nm) with germicidal properties.

UV-C rays (100-280 nm) have a strong germicidal effect and reach their maximum efficacy at the 265 nm wavelength. The germicidal effect of UV-C radiation covers bacteria, viruses, spores, fungi, moulds and mites; this is mainly due to the destructive effect of the UV-C rays on their DNA, which damage their reproductive system and prevent them from replicating.

Bacteria, Viruses, Spores, Fungi, Mould, and Mites are all sensitive to, and can therefore be eliminated with, UV-C light. Mircrobes cannot acquire resistance to UV-C light, unlike that which occurs using chemical disinfectants and antibiotics. UV rays are ecological. Polluting the environment is inevitable using normal disinfectants. Directly inhaling the vapours, or swallowing food products contaminated by any contact with said chemical disinfectants, can also give rise to a number of serious risks. In cases where chemical disinfectants cannot be eliminated (food, pharmaceutical, healthcare industries, etc.), using ultraviolet rays for disinfection allows a reduction in their use, with considerable economic savings and greater care for the environment, while maintaining and almost always improving the level of disinfection. UV-C light devices can be installed in environments and on machinery and be programmed to maintain the same level of disinfection day and night, guaranteeing ideal hygiene conditions, without highs and lows. On the contrary, chemical disinfectants are effective only during their actual use. Using LIGHT PROGRESS equipped luminaires, operating costs are negligible; it could be said that “LIGHT PROGRESS” UV-C systems do not require maintenance except for the normal replacement of the lamps. The cost/benefit ratio is considered excellent; the devices are both powerful and long-lasting. Hence the elimination of germs using UV-C technology is low-cost and highly effective compared to (or in combination with) other systems.

UV-C really does work when applied correctly and with the necessary precautions. The difference between a quality project and an unsuccessful application is in-depth knowledge and experience gained over time. Since 1987, Light Progress has been carrying out successful projects all over the world and has acquired a clientele of major companies in all sectors that require verified hygienic conditions to produce quality products and services.