9 replies to this topic

[carine]

Hi all, recently auditor had been asking me the contact period should be given for sanitizer to react effectively. is there any standard for the period of contact?

[SpursGirl]

Hi

 

The contact time for your sanitiser should be detailed on the material spec for that chemical. If you haven't got a copy of the spec get in contact with your chemical supplier and they should be able to send you a copy and advise you of the contact time.

 

Kind regards,

 

Sarah

[Tony-C]

Hi all, recently auditor had been asking me the contact period should be given for sanitizer to react effectively. is there any standard for the period of contact?

 

Hi Carine,

 

That will be on the data sheet/specification for your sanitizer and as recommended by your supplier.

 

It will vary from one sanitizer to another and also with concentration.

 

Regards,

 

Tony

[kanyisa]

HI Carine

for example the one we have is 2-5 minutes contact time that I got from the MSDS sheets that normally will be handed to you by the supplier.

I know some suppliers wont give you until you ask which is wrong .

[Charles.C]

Hi all, recently auditor had been asking me the contact period should be given for sanitizer to react effectively. is there any standard for the period of contact?

Dear Carine,

 

The significance may depend on yr specific situation, application but IMO this is auditor "nitpicking" (or ignorance).

 

Rgds / Charles.C

 

[George @ Safefood 360°]

Validation of the cleaning program - the contact time will be specified by the supplier and you should hold a copy of the specification which states the contact time. You should validate that the instructions provided by the supplier and correctly followed by you meet the standards of cleaning set out in your cleaning safety program.

 

George

[barbellbrad]

Hello.

 

The short answer to your question is usually around 60 seconds.

 

Sanitizer solutions can be used in varying concentrations to achieve the desired amount of cleaning effect.  The water based quat cleaners would only sanitize at the 200 ppm concentrations.  The concentration had to be remixed and made stronger to achieve disinfection levels.

 

As an example, we use an alcohol based quat cleaner that will sanitize in 60 seconds when surfaces are left thoroughly wetted.  It will disinfect when the surface remains wetted for 5 minutes.

[Charles.C]

Hello.

 

The short answer to your question is usually around 60 seconds.

 

Sanitizer solutions can be used in varying concentrations to achieve the desired amount of cleaning effect.  The water based quat cleaners would only sanitize at the 200 ppm concentrations.  The concentration had to be remixed and made stronger to achieve disinfection levels.

 

As an example, we use an alcohol based quat cleaner that will sanitize in 60 seconds when surfaces are left thoroughly wetted.  It will disinfect when the surface remains wetted for 5 minutes.

 

Dear barbellbrad,

 

Thks yr input.

 

Actually, yr info. may or may not relate to the specific OP since the latter conveniently omitted to provide any contextual data and never returned to his/her thread.

 

Just as one possible alternative example, IMEX manufacturers of water purification systems for well-origin water into a factory often recommend residence times around min. 30mins in a customised unit, post-columns, for hypochlorite injectors delivering ca.1ppm.

(admittedly it is a bit of a stretch to call this sanitization but who knows ? )

 

Regardless, thks again yr info.

 

Rgds / Charles.C

[barbellbrad]

Charles C.,

 

You were right about the lack of contextual data.  I had assumed the question was relating to standard spray bottle application of a sanitizing solution to food contact surfaces.

[Harish R]

Contact time varies depending on the chemical use. The sanitiser that we are using needs a contact time of at least one minute. If you store some sanitiser for a long period of time, the effect will deteriorate. We are directing to staff to take small quantities from the automatic dispenser in the spray bottle provided, in order to ensure that the sanitiser is not stored for a long period of time.