CleanSlate UV Reduces Bacteria on Tools in Dairy Processing

CleanSlate UV, a Buffalo-based disinfection startup, has announced that it has completed a first-of-its-kind case study analyzing bacteria on mobile devices, tools and equipment in food processing. The study measured bacterial loads on items entering food production areas, then analyzed CleanSlate’s effectiveness in reducing these pathogens, which saw a 100% reduction in Salmonella and other EB-family pathogens, the company said.

CleanSlate’s technology uses ultraviolet (UV-C) light to disinfect portable electronics and tools in just 30 seconds; it uses no chemicals, achieves medical-grade disinfection, and requires no training to use; and 40% of all devices and tools entering the facility were contaminated with EB-family pathogens, the company added

The pilot study was completed at Yashili Group’s dairy facility in Pokeno, New Zealand. The CleanSlate UV solution is capable of sanitizing multiple tools or devices in just 30 seconds without the use of any chemicals. The solution was seamlessly integrated into the plant’s HACCP protocols, allowing staff, technicians and auditing staff to disinfect RT radios, tablets, thermometers and other tools and equipment prior to entering the processing areas.

“The Quality Improvement team looked beyond conventional standards and recognized that portable electronics, such as RT radios and tablets, undermine hand hygiene and could be significant sources of cross-contamination,” said CleanSlate UV CEO Taylor Mann. “We worked with the Yashili Quality Assurance Team to establish a baseline of aerobic and enterobacteriaceae plate counts prior to the installation of the CleanSlate. In the two months after CleanSlate’s integration into HACCP protocols, we continued to monitor bacteria on these electronics. We found that we were able to reduce enterobacteriaceae family bacteria by 100% and reduce the total aerobic bacteria by 87%.”

“Safe and effective disinfection routines for equipment entering the critical hygiene environment led to an immediate reduction in micro counts on handheld and small electronic equipment when compared to standard entry routine. It was easy to use and more versatile than originally anticipated. Positive staff feedback from Day 1., said Steve Smith, quality & compliance manager for Yashili New Zealand Dairy Co. Ltd.

“The process is simple and user-friendly. CleanSlate devices were placed next to the hand washing stations where staff simply placed their portable electronics and tools into the CleanSlate while washing their hands. The UV technology is completely chemical-free and decreases the risk of cross-contamination,” said Manjunath Anand, CTO, CleanSlate UV.