The new antimicrobial film is designed to boost environmental hygiene on non-food contact surfaces when used together with a cleaning and sanitising program, an Ecolab spokesman told FoodProductionDaily.com.
“The coating helps control environmental and pathogenic bacteria, especially Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, as well as the growth of mould in both moist and dry environments within processing facilities,” he added.
The product is currently being reviewed by regulatory bodies in Europe and North America. The companies said no definite launch date for the coating had yet been set.
Up to 30 days
The coating is applied directly to clean, dry environmental surfaces using a sprayer, brush or roller in a wide-range of areas – including under tables, conveyor belts, equipment and internal parts of machinery.
It has also been designed for use on hard surfaces in non-food contact RTE processing areas, on processing equipment during shut down periods and in storage rooms, coolers and bakery proofing rooms for mould prevention.
The coating dries into a film that is said to active for up to 30 days in reducing the environmental and pathogenic bacteria and controls the growth of mould, said the spokesman. The company said it can be removed with a warm water spray.
“This new technology provides an industry-leading antimicrobial coating solution that is easily applied and removed from surfaces in the food processing environment," said Thomas W. Handley, company president of Ecolab's global food and beverage division.
The product is currently in limited scale test market trials in Europe and North America, said the spokesman. It is also under review by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“Both Ecolab and DuPont are working with regulatory agencies to obtain necessary approvals in the United States, Canada and the European Union; however a launch date has not yet been determined,” he added.