19 replies to this topic

[Arsenal1508]

Hello, 

 

Does anyone know of a solution for an effective way to sanitize processing/production areas up entry?

I was use to Entryway Door Foamers in my last company (Lamotte), but that was a wet processing environment.  My current company is a dry environment and process exposed food.

 

Currently there is talk of the Foot bath option, but for those that have used them before...they know how soiled up they get.  As people travel in and out of the production area, I expect it to soil greatly.  

 

I also looked into a dry powdered sanitizer, but it seems that is not an effective way to prevent pathogen growth.  http://www.qualityas...anitizers-use/ 

 

Any suggestions or ideas will be greatly appreciated.

 

 

[jcieslowski]

http://meatpoultryfo...a-monocytogenes

[RMAV]

Personally I am partial to floor foamers on a timer that refresh solution periodically.  This however tracks into your dry environment - how much tracking is tolerable you'd have to decide.  Another item I liked was a granulated quat.  These were spread over the floor and as traffic increased, the coverage of the quat increased.  It was highly soluble so it was easy to rinse at the end of the day - since you are dry, I wonder if buildup could be a problem.

[Plastic Ducky]

Also,

 

Here is a interesting study done on some options of wet and dry sanitizers for footwear in a dry environment.

 

 

http://www.bestsanit...environment.pdf

[Ninja_Neill]

We have a semi-dry environment and currently use a powder near entry areas. However, the data sheet for the powder we use says it is most effective when activated by water. I have seen the study Plastic Ducky mentions and am considering doing tests of the powder in combination with a sprayer.

[Arsenal1508]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.  

 

The moisture activated dry powder would in essence defeat the purpose for us.  We have limited drains in our facility and I just do not see anyone hosing down the floor to activate the sanitizing powder.

 

I think going forward for dry facilitates in terms of foot traffic, companies should really look at building a double door enclosed entrance to production areas.  In these areas would be a drain and a QUAT based foamer activated on a timer.

[MsMars]

We have used a dry quat-based powder mat in our entryways to dry production rooms and it has done wonders.  I've seen several conflicting studies on the effectiveness with/without water, but our EMP monitoring results speak for themselves at our facility. The majority of our EMP monitors for Listeria spp., however so I cannot speak as confidently for other indicators.

 

https://www.sterilex...ils/ultrastep/ 

 

I would definitely avoid a wet foot bath. 

[thatparksgal]

We are a wet/dry processing facility. We use a variety of foot sanitizer options in our plant. One of the easiest/most useful for our dry areas was a step on boot sanitizer. I know Ecolab also has a product like this. We use 70% alcohol in the sprayer, but you could use a sanitizer like Alpet D2, also available from Best Santizers. 

 

Boot Sprayer:

http://www.bestsanit...nitizing-system

[Ryan M.]

We do the same in our dry storage area entrances.  Dry quat granules in a foot mat to keep them from being tracked everywhere.  Our target pathogen is listeria though since most of our process is wet.  We do some salmonella swabbing in dry areas, but never have any hits so we have scaled it back.

We installed the dry quat to reduce listeria hits from foot traffic from the dry areas to the wet areas where there are no foot foamers installed.  It has worked perfectly for us.

 

 

We have used a dry quat-based powder mat in our entryways to dry production rooms and it has done wonders.  I've seen several conflicting studies on the effectiveness with/without water, but our EMP monitoring results speak for themselves at our facility. The majority of our EMP monitors for Listeria spp., however so I cannot speak as confidently for other indicators.

 

https://www.sterilex...ils/ultrastep/ 

 

I would definitely avoid a wet foot bath. 

[SQFconsultant]

For a dry environment I fully agree with Ryan.

 

We have two clients that have the primary mats filled and then the people step out over a grid with side blowers so that any excess is removed, works very well.

[MsMars]

For a dry environment I fully agree with Ryan.

 

We have two clients that have the primary mats filled and then the people step out over a grid with side blowers so that any excess is removed, works very well.

 

We don't have anything installed to remove excess powder, and indeed it gets tracked EVERYWHERE in the plant and can be an eyesore at times if regular sweeping/vacuuming falls behind in the warehouse/office areas.  However, have had USDA and SQF both give positive comments about the fact that it is inadvertently dispersed throughout the plant, so I don't plan on remedying that anytime soon.  

[FurFarmandFork]

We don't have anything installed to remove excess powder, and indeed it gets tracked EVERYWHERE in the plant and can be an eyesore at times if regular sweeping/vacuuming falls behind in the warehouse/office areas.  However, have had USDA and SQF both give positive comments about the fact that it is inadvertently dispersed throughout the plant, so I don't plan on remedying that anytime soon.  

THIS. I'm slowly building to implement dry baths at all entrances to the plant, but there's some resistance to the powder being everywhere, I see it as encouraging our sweeping program. :)

[itreatpets]

I am curious about the dry quat granules...are they heavy enough to stay at floor level, would a draft/wind cause the granules to become airborne? possibly landing on food?

[MsMars]

I am curious about the dry quat granules...are they heavy enough to stay at floor level, would a draft/wind cause the granules to become airborne? possibly landing on food?

 Yes - this is the difference in using granules versus powder.  Quat powder definitely disperses into the air without much agitation, but the granules are more like course sand. 

[itreatpets]

Thanks MsMars!

 

Questions for the folks that used the granules;

Did it make the floor slippery? like a shuffleboard sand effect... or add traction?

Does it stick to the wheels of pallet jacks? if so, did that cause issues?

[MsMars]

Thanks MsMars!

 

Questions for the folks that used the granules;

Did it make the floor slippery? like a shuffleboard sand effect... or add traction?

Does it stick to the wheels of pallet jacks? if so, did that cause issues?

 

It depends on the floor surface.  If you have a proper traction-coated floor, it doesn't cause issues.  The only places I've seen it cause issues are the same places that would be issues if there was a wet sanitizer mat or foamer (slick concrete). We haven't had too many issues with our own pallet jacks, but I suppose it would depend on the type/use (I'm sure the extra-finicky ones wouldn't like it too well, but then again they do not like wet floors either). 

[Ryan M.]

Yes, it may not look great seeing the quat tracked everywhere, but I'd rather have that then a pathogen problem.  Plus, it helps you to understand your real foot traffic as you can see where the granules or powder is tracked throughout the facility.

[Scampi]

The diversey G8 (can't find a link) actually improved traction............slaughter side of plant had wet boot dips...........cut side had the dry quat

I like it on the pallet jack wheels as they can be a source of contamination

[qualityhr]

Does anyone have suggestions on where to buy a quat dry-step granule powder? We are a small facility so it would be nice to find something other than the 100lb drums I've found thus far, but any suggestions are appreciated. 

 

Thanks!

[roman-soldier]

(Does anyone have suggestions on where to buy a quat dry-step granule powder? We are a small facility so it would be nice to find something other than the 100lb drums I've found thus far, but any suggestions are appreciated. )

 

I have found Sterilex to offer the best solutions alex.zeman@sterilex.com