The case for ozone hinges on its versatility in use and on the benefits of its environmental friendly disposal.
When compared to existing chemical sanitising methods it can be shown to cause little or no change to the food product itself and will leave no residue to cause harm or taint the product.
Ozone dissolved in water as a wash or spray can be used in food processing as a potent disinfectant. It can kill bacteria (like E.coli), viruses, parasites and fungi in many cases faster than traditional chemical disinfectants.
Gaseous ozone in storage or even processing environments can provide an effective treatment against airborne and surface contamination.
USA FDA
In 1997 ozone gained the FDA approval of GRAS (Generally Recognised As Safe) and later in 2001 was allowed as a direct food additive in contact with food including meat and poultry (Title 21 part 173 section 173.368).
In Australia
FSANZ (Food Standards Australia and New Zealand) Standard 1.3.3 Clause 11 have permitted ozone as a processing aid in packaged water and in water used as an ingredient in other foods plus in clause 12 they have permitted its use as a bleaching agent and as a washing and peeling agent used in the course of food manufacture or processing.
Ozone in water to wash fresh meat, fish and poultry
Ozone as a wash or spray can be used to sanitise equipment and surfaces used in food processing without leaving any chemical residue.
Water with high ozone levels can be used with pressure hoses and cleaners; portable equipment and utensils can be rinsed in ozonated water. Workbenches and processing equipment can be sanitised with a disinfecting ozonated water rinse.
Following "good manufacturing practices", food products themselves can be rinsed in ozonated water at controlled levels to reduce surface bacteria and organisms. Be that on the outer skins or on the flesh itself.
With all our water systems we promote the storage tank concept, in this way the water in a storage tank is maintained at the selected ozone concentration and is drawn off as needed to suit the client's requirements. Water is automatically replenished at a controlled rate.
A storage based system has the real advantages of being able to control the ozone level of the water even under varying loads and can completely alleviate the OH&S issues of off gas in the work area.
Gaseous ozone to prolong storage and sanitise work areas
The use of gaseous ozone is a tried and proven method to reduce the amount of surface bacteria on a variety of goods in cold storage. Ozone is fan forced or pumped into the area to be treated and can either be left to reach a maximum level or can be controlled to a fixed amount.
By reducing the level of bacteria, ozone will increase the overall shelf life of the product. Various monitors and controllers are available if people are going to be working in the area and OH&S could be an issue.
Ozone used in the processing environment can reduce the level of bacteria on food processing equipment and work tops. Ozone generating equipment can be run at controlled levels both during and after working hours. The equipment can be automatically set to run at different levels throughout the 24 hour day.
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