Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
NewsContamination ControlMicrobiologicalFacilitiesSanitation

Oils, Acids Promising Antimicrobials for Low-Moisture Food Safety, Study Finds

By Bailee Henderson
oil bubbles

Credit: Konyvesotto via Pixabay

September 9, 2022

New research published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology suggests that oil formulations with food-grade organic acids can kill dried Salmonella on stainless steel surfaces. The new findings are promising for reducing the risk of Salmonella when processing low-moisture, high-fat foods—such as peanut butter and chocolate—as water-based sanitization is unsuitable for such applications.

According to the study’s researchers, water-based cleaning is rarely used in peanut butter processing environments because it promotes microbial growth. Instead, manufacturers often remove residual peanut butter from manufacturing systems using heated oil, followed by overnight cooling and application of flammable, alcohol-based sanitizing agents. However, foodborne Salmonella outbreaks have been linked to peanut butter in recent months, highlighting the need for additional antimicrobial solutions that can be employed when processing low-moisture food products.

In the study, researchers dried Salmonella Enteritidis on stainless steel surfaces at controlled relative humidity. The dried bacteria was then coated with various oils containing organic acids, testing different acid types, concentrations, contact times, and treatment temperatures to identify which formulations have the strongest antimicrobial properties.

Acetic acid in peanut oil at 45 degrees Celsius was the most effective formulation. According to the researchers, the application of peanut oil mixed with acetic acid, at about half the concentration of household vinegar and under elevated temperatures, resulted in much more antimicrobial efficacy than was expected, indicating a synergistic effect. The results show that acidified oils could be used as an effective means of sanitation in low-moisture food processing facilities, where water-based cleaning can be challenging.

To the researchers’ knowledge, using oils as a carrier of organic acids is a novel approach to delivering antimicrobial compounds against foodborne pathogens. The adaptation of oil-based systems for industrial sanitation—for example, of machinery for processing chocolate and peanut butter—would enable more frequent cleaning, enhancing low-moisture food safety.

KEYWORDS: low-moisture foods oils organic acids Salmonella sanitation solutions

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Baileehendersonmay23

Bailee Henderson is the Digital Editor of Food Safety Magazine. She can be reached at hendersonb@bnpmedia.com.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Methods
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Personal Hygiene/Handwashing
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    Best Practices
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Deli Salads
    Sponsored byCorbion

    How Food Safety is Becoming the Ultimate Differentiator in Refrigerated and Prepared Foods

Popular Stories

Image of Tyson Foods logo and the logos of Tyson Foods brands

Tyson Foods is Reformulating Food Products to Eliminate Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes

USDA building.jpg

More Than 15,000 USDA Employees Take Trump Administration's Resignation Offer

Woman reading the warning label on a bottle of wine

A 40-Year Hangover: Efforts to Revive 1980s Advocacy About the Potential Negative Effects of Alcohol Consumption

Events

May 12, 2025

The Food Safety Summit

Stay informed on the latest food safety trends, innovations, emerging challenges, and expert analysis. Leave the Summit with actionable insights ready to drive measurable improvements in your organization. Do not miss this opportunity to learn from experts about contamination control, food safety culture, regulations, sanitation, supply chain traceability, and so much more.

May 13, 2025

Traceability Next Steps—Supply Chain Implementation

Live Streaming from the Food Safety Summit: Join us for this engaging and highly practical workshop focused on building and sustaining traceability efforts across the food supply chain. 

May 13, 2025

Effective Sanitation Basics

Live Streaming from the Food Safety Summit: This dynamic workshop will help participants understand the sanitation process, effective monitoring, use of data streams, and root cause analysis basics.

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • scientist hands holding petri dish in foreground and scientist using microscope in background

    Study Characterizes Dry Salmonella Biofilms, Offers Sanitization Strategy for Low-Moisture Food Industry

    See More
  • dry mixed nuts in bowls

    Poor Hygienic Design, Difficulty Communicating Risks are Barriers to Low-Moisture Food Safety, Study Shows

    See More
  • two men working in milk powder factory

    Dry Sanitation in Food Processing: Enhancing Safety for Low-Moisture Foods

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 9781498721776.jpg

    Handbook of Food Processing: Food Safety, Quality, and Manufacturing Processes

  • Food-Forensics-3D.jpg

    Food Forensics Handbook Practice, Instrumentation, Case Studies

See More Products

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • December 3, 2024

    Facilities Focus: Food Safety Factors to Consider in Hygienic Design and Infrastructure

    On Demand: From this webinar, attendees will learn important factors to consider when specifying hygienic design requirements for equipment and facilities.
View AllSubmit An Event

Related Directories

  • Plum Safety

    Plum Safety Training and Hospitality Consultants provide complete Environmental Health, Safety, and Food Safety solutions. Certified Food Protection Manager Training and Certification, TiPS Responsible Alcohol Training and Certification, Allergen and Gluten-Free Training and Certification, CPR/AED and First Aid Training and Certification. HACCP plan development and training. 3rd Party Inspections and Audits.
  • Hygiena

    At Hygiena®, our mission is to create innovative diagnostics for a healthier world, providing critical solutions that uphold safety and quality standards across various industries. Our suite of products includes the SureTrend® data analysis platform, ATP cleaning verification, allergen detection, molecular diagnostics and product quality tools. These solutions are designed to help you see the bigger picture and make timely decisions to protect your customers and your brand.
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing