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Situation Overview

COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus) has taken over the world-wide conversation. While there is currently no evidence that the virus represents a food safety or animal welfare threat, animal producers and food industry companies such as manufacturers, foodservice operators, retail stores and animal producers are taking necessary steps to protect their facilities and employee health.

Implementing a robust disinfection program for both production and common areas such as the break room, restroom or offices, provides another layer of protection to help safeguard essential workers and reduce cross-contamination.

Please refer to the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ for additional information on the outbreak.

Read more information on disinfecting common areas.

Learn how to disinfect large production areas.

Combatting COVID-19 with Sterilex

Use an Approved Disinfectant

Refer to EPA List N for a comprehensive list of disinfectants approved for use against SARS-CoV-2. This list identifies all products that meet EPA’s Emerging Viral Pathogen criteria for SARS-CoV-2 and includes Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner Solution 1 and Sterilex Ultra Step. Refer to the directions for use section of this page for information on how to disinfect with Sterilex.

Enforce Personal Hygiene Standards

Ensuring proper handwashing and employee hygiene is a critical step in preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2. For tips on proper handwashing, view the CDC handwashing page.

Resources
EPA List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 EPA’s Emerging Pathogen Policy Insight: Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) FDA: Food Safety and COVID-19 Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) World Health Organization (WHO)

Disinfecting Common Areas

Preparing a Stock Solution

for use in offices, lunchrooms, locker rooms or other areas where employees congregate

  1. Put on proper PPE. This includes goggles and/or face shield, protective clothing, and rubber gloves.
  2. Prepare a stock solution of Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner Solution 1 and Sterilex Ultra Activator Solution.
    1. Fill a graduated, 5-gallon bucket with 2 gallons of water.
    2. Add 32 fl oz (1 qt) of Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner Solution 1 to the bucket.
    3. Add 32 fl oz (1 qt) of Sterilex Ultra Activator Solution to the bucket. The bucket should be filled to the 2.5 gal (10 qt) line.
    4. For larger volumes, the same ratios can be applied adding 16 fl oz (0.5 qt) of Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner Solution 1 and 16 fl oz (0.5 qt) of Sterilex Ultra Activator Solution for each additional gallon of water.
  3. Add stock solution to the appropriate vessel for your preferred application method. Common application methods include mopping, spraying, foaming and wiping. Please see the recommended equipment section for potential options.
  4. Apply stock solution to the surface. Allow surfaces to remain visibly wet for AT LEAST 10 minutes.
  5. Rinse all food contact surfaces thoroughly with a potable water rinse. For non-food contact surfaces wipe, rinse, or allow surface to air dry.

Note: All stock solutions must be used within 8 hours. Pour any excess stock solution down a sanitary drain. For application on hard, non-porous surfaces only. Directions for use are consistent with those for Feline calicivirus. See product label for details.

Disinfecting Large Production Areas

Total Disinfection Application

for food manufacturing and other large facilities

  1. Put on proper PPE. This includes goggles and/or face shield, protective clothing, and rubber gloves.
  2. Treat all surfaces with an alkaline detergent, followed with a water rinse.
  3. Prepare solution of Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner Solution 1 and Ultra Soft Metal Activator mixed at a 1:1:8 – 1:1:10 ratio (12.8 – 16 oz of each solution/gallon of water) for use in a high volume, rinsed tank foamer. Use Sterilex product solution within 8 hours of mixing.
  4. Generously foam all overheads, walls, equipment, floors and drains to ensure thorough coverage. Allow chemistry to soak in all crevices of treated surfaces.
    1. Minimum contact time: 10 minutes
    2. Recommended Contact Time: 30 minutes
    3. Water Temperature: 100°F to 140°F
  5. Rinse all food contact surfaces thoroughly with a potable water rinse.
  6. Repeat procedure as needed.

Note: For application on hard, non-porous surfaces only. Directions for use are consistent with those for Feline calicivirus. See product label for details.

Recommended Products

Recommended Equipment

Spraying

Portable spray units used to apply the stock solution must leave the surface visibly wet. We recommend FOAM-iT equipment. A 5-liter and 1.5-liter option are featured here, but sizes up to 50 gallons are available at www.foamit.com.

Foaming

While most portable foaming units will work, we recommend FOAM-iT equipment. 1.5L and 5L units featured here will provide ease of use, but sizes up to 50 gallons available at www.foamit.com.

EZBlend® Foam Unit

For large scale foaming applications. We recommend the EZBlend® Foam Unit, which provides for additional ease of use.

Mixing Buckets

Five-gallon mixing buckets are available at most hardware stores, or online via Amazon or Grainger. When selecting a unit, we highly recommend using a graduated bucket that will allow for easy measurement.

EPA's Emerging Pathogen Policy

The claims made above are a result of the EPA Emerging Viral Pathogen Policy. EPA published guidance in 2016 outlining a pathway for EPA registrants to make claims against emerging viral pathogens that are not included on the EPA-registered label. This policy is intended to provide companies with an avenue to make claims against pathogens of major public health concern that cannot reasonably be added to a product label in a timely manner. Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) currently falls under this pathway. In order to make these claims, companies must complete a 2-stage process.

  • Have proven efficacy against key viral pathogens and add the designated emerging viral pathogen statement to their master label.
  • Agree to abide by the restrictions of the Emerging Viral Pathogen policy, and remove claims once the outbreak has ended.

The current policy lists three viral subgroups, organized in a hierarchy. Demonstrated efficacy against viral pathogens in a higher class would imply efficacy against pathogens in a lower class.

  • Small, non-enveloped viruses
  • Large, non-enveloped viruses
  • Enveloped viruses

Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) falls under the enveloped virus category of pathogens. In order for disinfectants to make claims against emerging enveloped viruses, they must have demonstrated efficacy against at least one large or one small non-enveloped virus. Both Sterilex products have demonstrated efficacy against Feline calicivirus—a small, non-enveloped virus—implying efficacy over an enveloped virus such as Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

You can read the full emerging viral pathogen guidance on the EPA Website.

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