Sanitation

Study Suggests Potential of Low-Moisture Antimicrobial for Dry Food Facilities

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Researchers have developed and validated a rapidly vaporizing antimicrobial liquid designed for dry sanitization, which, after further optimization and regulatory approvals, could offer a potential alternative to highly flammable alcohol-based solutions.

Ep. 213. Richard Stier: Driving Continuous Improvement in Food Safety and Sanitation

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 02:30:00 -0400

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, Richard Stier, M.S., a consulting food scientist and longtime Food Safety Magazine contributor, recalls lessons from decades in food processing facilities, discussing crisis preparedness, internal audits, facility sanitation and employee hygiene, HACCP, and why strong food safety programs must be continuously improved to remain effective.

Critical Implications of Hygienic Zoning for Food and Beverage Processing

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500

This article presents the conceptual understanding and objectives of hygienic zoning for food and beverage processing facilities. It discusses linear workflow and cross-contamination, the design of cleaning and disinfection strategies, pathogen environmental monitoring, and the legal implications of hygienic zoning and positive outcomes for industry.

In Dry Environments, Wet Sanitation Isn't the Answer—It's the Issue

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Applying wet sanitation in dry environments often increases risk. Food processors need a balanced understanding of these risks and their desired cleaning outcomes; specifically, the impact of different sanitation practices and how those impacts are driven by hygienic design challenges in their facilities.

Food Safety Five Ep. 26: Updates and Success Stories on Listeria Control in RTE Facilities

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:30:00 -0500

This episode of Food Safety Five discusses updated USDA-FSIS guidance on Listeria testing in RTE facilities, the latest on the Boar’s Head facility behind the fatal outbreak of 2024, and a real-world Listeria “Seek and Destroy” success story.

Report Describes How UK Food Processors Are Advancing Microbial Control

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:30:00 -0500

Drawing upon insights shared by UK food safety professionals, a report produced by the Food Safety Research Network (FSRN)/Quadram Institute identifies emerging defenses against microbiological risks in food production environments, including science-backed approaches, advanced technologies, and culture-based initiatives.

Boar’s Head Reopens Production Facility Behind Fatal Listeriosis Outbreak

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 11:30:04 -0500

Boar’s Head has reopened its Jarratt, Virginia production facility, which was closed after being implicated in a fatal listeriosis outbreak in 2024. The company says the plant, which had exhibited serious food safety and hygiene violations, has undergone renovations and enhancements.

Report: Food Producers Prioritize Food Safety, Sanitation Basics Over Advanced Technologies

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:35:26 -0500

A new report from PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies reveals trends driving food safety and sanitation decisions among food and beverage manufacturers, and what these trends mean for original equipment manufacturers and suppliers.

CFS Opens First Standalone Training Facility in New Orleans

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 15:35:00 -0400

Commercial Food Sanitation (CFS) Institute North America, housed at the Intralox global headquarters in New Orleans, Louisiana, will be home to trainings, collaboration, and hygienic design support for food industry sanitarians and processors.

Boar’s Head to Reopen Facility Behind Fatal Listeria Outbreak While Other Plants Remain Insanitary

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 11:20:14 -0400

Boar’s Head is planning to reopen a production plant that was linked to a deadly, multistate listeriosis outbreak in 2024. Meanwhile, inspection reports obtained by the Associated Press show that insanitary conditions similar to those that caused the outbreak continue to plague other Boar’s Head facilities.

Hygienic Electrical Solutions Assure Food Safety, Compliance, and Uptime

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Industry expert Ralph Contreras from ABB Installation Products addresses critical questions about electrical infrastructure in food processing facilities. This Q&A format whitepaper covers FSMA compliance requirements, contamination sources, sanitization challenges, and the role of specialized electrical components in preventing costly recalls and downtime. Read on for essential guidance for processors seeking to protect food safety while maintaining operational efficiency in increasingly regulated environments.

University of Arkansas Extension to Host Sanitation and Listeria Prevention Workshop for Food Industry

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 15:16:23 -0400

The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Research and Extension will host a three-day, in-person Sanitation and Listeria Prevention workshop in August. The workshop is intended for food safety and sanitation professionals at USDA-, FDA-, or state-inspected food production facilities.

Hygienic Design: How are Processors Coping With This Essential Element of Food Safety?—Part 2

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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 additional 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.

Food Safety Five Ep. 12: New Sanitation and Growth Prediction Methods for Listeria

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 07:30:00 -0400

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.

Hygienic Design: How are Processors Coping With This Essential Element of Food Safety?

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Dynamics of Water Quality for Food and Beverage Processing

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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

Food on the Move: Managing Hygiene and Safety Risks in Transport

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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).

Study Shows Combining Antimicrobial Blue Light and Chemical Sanitizers Can Enhance Listeria Inactivation

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 10:16:22 -0400

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.

Conference on Cleaning, Sanitation for Low-Moisture Food Production Happening in Minnesota in April

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 15:29:28 -0400

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).

University of Wisconsin Researcher Establishing Research Program for Cold Plasma in Dairy Food Safety

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 12:19:57 -0400

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.

PSSI Rebrands as Fortrex

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 12:41:39 -0500

The food safety and sanitation solutions provider formerly known as PSSI has rebranded as Fortrex.

Fundamental Requirements of the 3-A Sanitary Standards and their Relationship with Regulations

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

This article addresses the requirements of the 3-A Sanitary Standards and some common misconceptions. It also describes the relationship between the 3-A Standards and U.S. federal regulations, as well as hygienic requirements beyond the sanitary design of the equipment—installation, validation, and maintenance.

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

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 11:50:17 -0500

Filling a critical knowledge gap in light of recent outbreaks and recalls associated with low-moisture foods, a study led by National University of Singapore researchers has characterized dry surface Salmonella biofilms and developed a fit-for-purpose, antibiofilm, waterless sanitization protocol for the low-moisture food industry.

Researchers Investigating Microbial Risks of Unconventional Surfaces in Produce Packinghouses

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 10:53:13 -0500

A research project funded by the Center for Produce Safety (CPS) is exploring the microbial risks of unconventional surfaces in small and midsized produce packinghouses with the goal of determining sanitation best practices.

Facilities Focus: Manage Your Physical Plant as a Prerequisite

rickstier4@aol.com (Richard F. Stier, M.S.) — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Food manufacturers should consider their physical plants in their list of prerequisite programs for HACCP. As demonstrated by a recent, high-profile Listeria outbreak at a major meat processor, facility condition and upkeep can have a significant effect on food safety.

Immediately Actionable Research Results for the Produce Industry

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 13:45:25 -0500

Recently concluded research funded by the Center for Produce Safety provides practical, immediately actionable insights that industry can integrate into their operations, ranging from sanitation best practices, to Salmonella and E. coli mitigation, to wild bird management, and more.

Turn Food-Safety into a Competitive Advantage - Watch How in Ammeraal Beltech Exclusive video

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500

In today’s food industry, a single recall can disrupt operations, damage reputations, and erode consumer trust. As food safety concerns escalate, professionals must stay ahead by implementing the latest preventive measures.

Researchers Investigating how Wax Roller Brushes for Produce Affect Microbial Food Safety

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 12:32:59 -0400

An ongoing study funded by the Center for Produce Safety aims to fill knowledge gaps about the microbial food safety risks posed by wax roller brushes used on fruit and vegetables, as well as identify best cleaning and sanitation practices.

Industry Survey Reveals Key Challenges to Ensuring Low-Moisture Food Safety

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 10:26:49 -0400

A recent survey of the low-moisture food industry and relevant stakeholders has revealed the sector’s key food safety challenges and research needs related to food safety culture, sanitation, pathogen reduction, and technology adoption.

XENON Corporation Unveils Lowest-Cost Pulsed Light Lamp on Market

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 16:10:18 -0400

XENON Corporation has released its new Compact Integrated Xenon Lamp (CIXL), the lowest-cost high-energy Pulsed Light product on the market.