Sanitation

Study Shows How Spray Application Affects Sanitizer Efficacy Against Listeria on Food-Contact Surfaces

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 11:57:34 -0400

Longer application times, shorter nozzle distances, and spray patterns that deliver sufficient physical force to surfaces may contribute to improved microbial reduction. Sanitizer efficacy experiments could misrepresent real-world sanitation outcomes when shear stress and application time are not considered.

Food Safety Five Ep. 36: Listeria, E. coli, Biofilms, Plastics, and Oil Adulteration

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 02:30:00 -0400

This episode of Food Safety Five discusses new research on avocado oil authenticity in processed foods, the effects of nanoplastics on bacterial biofilms in drinking water systems, factors influencing Listeria monocytogenes persistence on plastic food contact surfaces, and stress-adaptation traits that may help E. coli persist from farm to fork.

Study Identifies Optimal Poultry Transport Cage Washing Conditions to Reduce Salmonella

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Transport cages are recognized as a potential source of cross-contamination in poultry slaughterhouses. The optimal washing water temperature and detergent concentration completely eliminated detectable Salmonella while greatly reducing indicator organisms. The identified parameters may improve food safety and operational efficiency.

Mitigating Hidden Rodent Risks in Food Facilities

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Modern food facilities are spaces where small structural gaps around utilities and loading areas can create hidden rodent pathways, making exclusion and digital monitoring necessary.

Cornell CALS Announces Advancing Dry Sanitation Forum

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:03:00 -0400

Intended for professional sanitarians, food safety leaders, hygienic design specialists, and managers working in low-moisture food manufacturing, the event will take place October 26–27, 2026 in Beloit, Wisconsin.

Researchers Identify Plastic Food Contact Material Properties, Background Microbes that Influence Listeria Biofilm Persistence

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The findings suggest that pathogen persistence on plastic food contact surfaces is governed by the combined effects of material composition, engineered surface topography, and microbial ecology rather than any single factor.

Researchers Propose Listeria Biofilm Colonization Hypothesis to Explain Persistence in Food Processing Plants

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 09:24:53 -0400

A new hypothesis suggests Listeria monocytogenes persists by colonizing nutrient-rich voids left behind when Gram-negative bacterial biofilms disperse. If the theory is validated, the authors suggest shifting food safety strategies toward managing biofilm ecology and ecological succession, rather than focusing solely on pathogen detection.

Elanco: Summer Fly Pressure, Food Safety, and Smarter IPM in Poultry Houses

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 02:30:00 -0400

In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Elanco Poultry Food Safety’s Dr. Alissa Welsher about why fly pressures increase during warmer months, the risks flies can pose within poultry operations, and how producers can proactively address flies through integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.

Another Study Suggests Plastic Particles Strengthen E. coli Biofilms; Researchers Underline Drinking Water Safety Implications

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 08:57:37 -0400

Adding to a growing body of evidence that micro- and nanoplastics may enhance the virulence and persistence of pathogens in food and the environment, a new study found that nanoplastics may strengthen E. coli biofilms in drinking water systems and increase resistance to chlorine treatment.

Study: E. coli in Lettuce Growing Environment Have Stress Adaptation Traits Enabling Farm-to-Fork Persistence

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The co-occurrence of biofilm formation, acid tolerance, and antimicrobial resistance genes in E. coli isolated from irrigation water, soil, and crops could complicate downstream microbial control efforts in produce production systems.

In Dry Processing Environments, Treat Water Like Glass

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

In low-moisture food manufacturing, keeping your facility dry is key environmental control, yet many facilities treat water in their environment with a level of complacency that does not match its impact. What is needed is a more disciplined mindset—one that treats water with the same seriousness applied to other high-risk materials, such as glass.

BETE Introduces FlexiSan Modular Spray System for Open Plant Cleaning

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 13:16:18 -0400

The solution includes a clean-in-place (CIP) spray header and can be used to apply sanitizing chemicals to food processing equipment such as conveyors, hoppers, bins, mixers, and other production areas.

PolyCo Sleeve Gloves Offer Total Arm Protection for Food Processing Workers

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 13:34:45 -0400

The VR Sleeve Gloves combine heavy-duty nitrile gloves with PolyCo’s lightweight VR Protective Sleeves for protection against disinfectants and other harsh chemicals.

A Formula for Food Processing Pest Management

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The Pest Management Pyramid graphic is a great tool for visualizing the integration of tactics toward the goal of preventative and sustainable pest management programs at food processing facilities. IFC has the expert knowledge your food safety program needs.

Researchers Discover Mechanism of Biofilm Formation with Potential for Intervention in Food Production

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

When a certain protein pathway was disrupted in the assembly of extracellular matrices, normal Bacillus cereus biofilm formation was impaired, but compensatory responses enabled a level of matrix plasticity that could help explain why biofilms are difficult to eradicate.

The Real Microbial Reduction Step is Cleaning

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This article discusses how, in most cases, more microbial reduction comes from cleaning than from sanitizing.

Alfa Laval Expands Tank Cleaning Portfolio with New Retractable CIP Devices

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:24:55 -0400

The Controlled Rotating Retractor and Controlled Rotating Retractor UltraPure are designed to provide up to twice the cleaning efficiency of conventional static spray balls while reducing water and cleaning media consumption.

Integrated Pest Management: Protecting Poultry Operations as Seasons Change

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

With warmer weather comes increased pest pressures, threatening flock health and food safety in pre-harvest poultry operations. Insects and rodents act as vectors for pathogens, making robust integrated pest management, complemented by effective chemical control, essential to reducing contamination risks.

New Cleaning Agent for Food Facilities May Improve the Bottom Line

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 12:18:36 -0400

IAFNS-supported researchers have developed a low-moisture cleaning solution that is not only effective and less of a hazard for workers and plants, but also has the potential to save cleaning time.

Food Safety Five Ep. 32: From Sanitation to Food Processing, Cold Plasma Does It All

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This episode of Food Safety Five discusses new research on the use of cold plasma technologies for biofilm inactivation and reducing allergenic risk, deriving more accurate “sell by” dates based on microbial changes on meat, and ultra-processed food nutrition and purchasing realities.

Elanco: Spring and Summer Pest Pressure—Smart Insecticide Strategies for Poultry Producers

Thu, 28 May 2026 10:00:00 -0400

In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Dr. Alissa Welsher, Senior Consultant at Elanco Poultry Food Safety, about how preharvest poultry operations can get ahead of increasing insect activity seen in warmer months with robust integrated pest management (IPM) and insecticide solutions.

Researchers Investigate Antimicrobial Light, Optimal Sanitation Protocols for Produce Packinghouse Brushes

Thu, 28 May 2026 05:30:00 -0400

Studies funded by the Center for Produce Safety (CPS) are investigating ways to improve produce packinghouse brush sanitation, including the use of antimicrobial light and choosing the best time to replace brushes.

Researchers Recommend UV-C for Norovirus Inactivation, Continuous Surface Disinfection

Thu, 28 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400

A new study demonstrated the efficacy of far-UV-C light at 222 nm for inactivating human norovirus on surfaces. As it is safe for humans, researchers believe UV-C 222 could enable real-time, continuous disinfection in enclosed foodservice settings and food processing environments.

Ozone- and Diamond-Based Sanitation Solution Reduces Reliance on Harsh Chemicals

Fri, 22 May 2026 15:38:07 -0400

Element Six and Oxi Tech Solutions have partnered to develop an ozone-powered, synthetic diamond-enabled sanitation solution, which the company says enhances the safety, eco-friendliness, and effectiveness of industrial cleaning.

Plasma-Activated Mist Shows Promise for Biofilm Removal in Food Facilities

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 14 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Researchers achieved microbial reductions of 1.56–1.64 log CFU/cm² by applying plasma-activated water and water–chemical solutions to dual-species E. coli biofilms on stainless steel, suggesting the technology’s potential as a sustainable, safe alternative to traditional sanitizer treatments.

Power-Assisted Cleaning Supports Efficiency in Food Production

Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Sanitation teams in food production facilities must remove stubborn residues while meeting strict hygiene requirements and maintaining production timelines.

eBook | Strengthening Company Culture to Drive Food Safety Performance

Thu, 07 May 2026 01:00:00 -0400

Realizing measurable improvement in food safety performance rests largely on the culture of your company. Dedicated investment in optimizing your organization's food safety culture—from the boardroom to the warehouse, and throughout your entire supply chain—offers significant returns in the form of regulatory compliance, mitigated recall risk, enhanced consumer trust, and a more skilled and invested workforce.

Food Safety Insights and the 2026 Food Safety Summit

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This article previews upcoming sessions at the 2026 Food Safety Summit and ties in topical learnings from recent Food Safety Insights columns.

Best Practice Considerations to Enhance the Effectiveness of Allergen Cleaning and Validation

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This article examines how the development and validation of effective cleaning practices are imperative to prevent allergen cross-contact in food processing environments.

Study Shows Poor Recovery of Listeria Using Cotton Swabs for Environmental Monitoring

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Sponges far outperformed cotton swabs in laboratory experiments and real-world sampling in an RTE food production facility. The findings align with existing recommendations supporting the use of sponge-based sampling with neutralizers for environmental monitoring.