Ozone & Food Safety

Food Safety and sanitation play a critical role in the food processing industry. The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification requires stable, safe, and fast-working professional disinfection equipment to maintain food safety and microbial control.

The BioSure Professional line of sanitation equipment provides safer HACCP assisted ozonated water disinfection equipment for food processing plants and large central kitchens, and saves on direct and indirect costs of using chemicals, making ozonated water a great leap forward in eco-friendly disinfection solutions.

BioSure Professional has installations in numerous agri-food facilities and food-processing businesses where sanitation is paramount. These industries include packaging fresh fruit and vegetables, to processing meat, poultry, and seafood products, among others.

Utensils used for food preparation often harbor bacteria that are too small for the human eye to see. Traditional disinfectants such as chlorine may not sufficiently remove surface bacteria from such utensils. As ozone is a natural disinfectant, some food preparation facilities may prefer to use an ozone water spray to wipe down utensils.

The BioSure Water Disinfection System (WDS) can be used to disinfect utensils that come in contact with food. It is a simple ozone water machine that uses an advanced electrolytic oxidation process to convert tap water into dissolved ozonated water. This creates an instant, chemical-free sanitizer that is safe to use and kills harmful pathogens such as Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and E. coli.

Dirty ice machines are a common issue in food preparation and can lead to outbreaks of norovirus. However, most consumers have probably never considered that ice machines are a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms. Chemical cleaners are often used, however, these can leave behind harmful residue that lingers in water lines and is consumed by unsuspecting customers.

Aqueous ozone can be injected into water lines that supply ice machines, preventing harmful pathogens from building up inside the machine. Ozone water kills bacteria it comes into contact with, so any remaining bacteria is eliminated once ozone water begins to flow through the machine. This ice is perfectly suitable for consumption and is the best solution to combat bacteria-riddled ice machines.

We touch countless numbers of surfaces each day with our hands. It’s vital that those working in contact with food familiarize themselves with hygiene best practices to prevent foodborne illness.

Ozone is a strong oxidant that acts as a natural sanitizer. Installing a BioSure ozone water system prevents food preparation workers from washing their hands with water that has passed through unsanitary pipes. Ozone simply reverts into oxygen molecules after the sanitization process, without emitting any harmful by-products. It protects water lines from biofilm growth and eliminates mold and bacterial growth.

Furthermore, ozone acts 3,000 times faster than Chlorine and is 50 times more effective. Washing hands with ozone water will kill surface bacteria, preventing the spread of infection through unclean hands.

Ozone water is suitable for use in every step of food production and eliminates the risk of harmful cross-contamination during food preparation. The ozone water treatment does not add chemicals to water as chlorination does, so there will be no chemical residue on surfaces, utensils, or chopping boards after cleaning, preventing cross-contamination. 

Bacteria and microorganisms are all around us, and it’s possible for contaminated bacteria and viruses to survive on surfaces for long periods of time. Over 200 known diseases are transmissible through food, and contact with dirty kitchen surfaces may lead to sickness.

The CDC advises that food preparation staff should take hygiene precautions when using chemicals to clean work stations, as potentially dangerous residue can linger and come into contact with food. One of the benefits of ozone water is that it does not emit any dangerous chemicals or leave behind any harmful residue on surfaces.

Ozone water cleaning previously required expensive machinery and trained specialists for installation. Now, food preparation facilities can easily install a Water Disinfection System (WDS) to water lines in their establishments.

These devices, also referred to as Electrolytic Ozone Generators (EOG), work by injecting ozone into the tap water with the push of a button — killing bacteria, viruses, biofilm, and other dangerous particles within seconds for quick and effective surface disinfection.

The electrolytic ozone water treatment method used by BES Group is safer and produces the highest ozone concentration in the ozone industry.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten, and consumers are becoming increasingly aware that frequently disinfecting surfaces prevents the spread of disease and viruses. According to Nara University in Japan, ozonated water can neutralize the virus-host of COVID-19, preventing potential contact infection.

Large surface sanitation with traditional chemical cleaners such as chlorine may leave harmful chemical residues. Ozone water disinfection removes the need for such dangerous chemical cleaners. Ozone water is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cleaning products and is perfect for food preparation.

After the sanitization process, ozone simply reforms into oxygen molecules without emitting any harmful by-products. Large surface sanitation with ozone water removes the risk of breathing in potentially harmful chemicals. Using ozone water also reduces recurring costs, as there is no need to purchase expensive cleaning products.

A dirty kitchen is a breeding ground for bacteria growth. The Center for Disease Control states that unwashed or inadequately cleaned food is a haven for viruses, bacteria, parasites, and toxins. 

Approximately 17% or 48 million Americans fall ill from foodborne illnesses each year, leading to an estimated 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. This puts a huge burden on healthcare services. However, as ozone is a strong oxidant that acts as a natural sanitizer, such health issues would be avoidable if ozone water were used as part of the food purification process.

Ozone water does not change the taste or smell of food. It leaves no chemical residues that are harmful to our bodies, making it a safe alternative to chlorine. Furthermore, ozone water does not use heat to disinfect so it is safer for food handlers to use. 

Ozone is also better for the environment as it evaporates into oxygen rather than emitting harmful byproducts.

Ozone is a pH-neutral solution and does not cause any damage to food products. Ozone water is ideal for produce washer integration as it is odorless and has no taste. Consumers will not know the difference. 

The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) standards have deemed ozone as safe to be applied as a sanitation solution, and it was approved for food contact by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2001. BioSure Professional has received approval from the UK’s leading food lab Campden BRI, proving that ozone performance is as effective as chemical sanitation methods.

Let us help you to find the one that meets your needs!