As the organic food market continues to grow — reaching nearly $70 billion in the U.S. in 2023 – it attracts consumers who trust organic food production. However, organic production can present challenges to producers and processors. Stricter regulations make it harder to maintain a clean and microbiologically safe food processing facilities. At Sterilex, we understand the strict requirements that organic facilities must adhere to and work to help producers and processors protect the integrity of their products as well as the health of their customers.
Superficies en contacto con alimentos
The USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) provides an approved list of chemistries that can contact food during production. It is true that quaternary ammonium (quat) and sodium percarbonate chemistries are not on this approved list. However, one of the most common misconceptions is that because these chemistries are not on NOP’s approved list they cannot be used. Let’s dive deeper into this misconception to learn how and why quat- and sodium percarbonate-based chemistries can be used in organic facilities:
- MYTH: Chemicals not considered organic in nature cannot be used in organic plants.
FACT: Chemicals, such as Quat compounds and sodium percarbonate, can be used in organic facilities, but not as a final, no-rinse sanitizer. They simply must be rinsed before applying a no-rinse sanitizer approved for food contact before resuming production. The application of Sterilex PerQuat disinfectants for the removal and kill of biofilm on food contact surfaces is identical for both organic and non-organic facilities. - MYTH: Quat leaves a residue, so it cannot be used in organic facilities even when followed by a potable water rinse.
FACT: Quat-based chemistries are designed to have residual times when applied as a no-rinse sanitizer. However, they do freely dissolve in water and can be fully rinsed from surfaces. When PerQuat disinfectants are rinsed from the surface, they do not leave a quat residue. - MYTH: There is no way to verify that impermissible chemistries have been fully rinsed from the surface.
FACT: Low-level test strips are available for most active chemistries and all Sterilex products.
Drains + Environmental Use
Organic processing guidelines are less restrictive when it comes to environmental surfaces, as guidelines primarily regulate only chemistries used on food contact surfaces.
Because there is less concern with drains and environmental areas, chemistries not approved by NOP can be used. Many organic processing environments successfully use ProvaStride® or Sterilex Ultra Step as a floor and entryway sanitizer without violating the organic processing guidelines coming from their certifier.
Special care should be taken in areas where sanitizer or debris could fall or be transferred onto food contact surfaces. To avoid possible transfer, apply the product at the recommended use rate and use in areas such as floors and drains where the product is unlikely to transfer to food or food contact surfaces.
Eliminación de biopelículas y eliminación de patógenos nocivos
Sterilex’s biofilm-removing chemistry can be used per labeled instructions in almost all organic processing environments. This expands the tools available for plants as they continue to battle biofilm and complex microbial issues to keep the food supply safe and secure.