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This episode of Food Safety Five discusses two scientific advancements related to Listeria monocytogenes control: 1) a study that showed the effectiveness of combining antimicrobial blue light with chemical sanitizers for pathogen inactivation, and 2) the development of a new growth prediction model for L. monocytogenes in artisanal cheeses.  

The hygienic design, sanitation, and maintenance of food processing equipment and the surrounding production facilities are of paramount importance for an effective food safety sanitation program. In this column, we share firsthand information from processors about their programs, as well as the challenges and obstacles they face in keeping their equipment and facilities in the best condition to ensure food safety.

This article discusses water quality considerations for food and beverage processing, sanitation, and other facility operations.

As a nonprofit association, ENFIT has developed several guidelines to ensure a safe supply chain, including the HQF Certification Scheme (for the certification of transport cleaning stations) and Transport Hygiene Risk Analysis (THR Analysis). 

A study from the University of Georgia’s Center for Food Safety suggests a synergistic effect between antimicrobial blue light treatment and low concentrations of sanitizers commonly used in industry, finding enhanced inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes on food contact surfaces.

Registration is open for the "Innovations in Cleaning and Sanitation for Low-Moisture Foods" conference, taking place at the the Land O’ Lakes Headquarters in Arden Hills, Minnesota in April. The event is jointly hosted by the Illinois Tech Institute for Food Safety and Health (IFSH), the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Food Research Institute (UW-FRI), and the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences (IAFNS). 

With support from the Dairy Innovation Hub, a professor at University of Wisconsin–Platteville is establishing a research program to explore the use of cold plasma technology for food safety, sustainable agriculture, and dairy processing.

After Fruit Logistica 2025, Marzio Cazzamali, Global Industry Segment Manager for Fruit and Vegetables at Ammeraal Beltech, shared his reflections on the event, focusing on innovations in food-safe conveyor solutions. 

Nilfisk’s new CS7500 Combination Sweeper-Scrubber is a new solution in industrial cleaning that is designed for efficiency, user accessibility, and sustainability. 

On February 13, Boar’s Head designated a companywide ‘Boar’s Head Food Safety Promise Day’ and unveiled new safety and sanitation controls and processes, following the fatal listeriosis outbreak linked to its products in 2024.