UV light in Spices Manufacturing for controlling Yeasts and Moulds

Dear all,

I work in a spice processing factory and my consultant has advised us to install a UV light facility so as to control yeasts and molds. I would be grateful if anyone could help me on the following:

1- specifications of such UV lights / adaptation in such process

2- where to fix the UV lights

3- any food safety issue related to UV lights

Thank you for your help!

Regards,

Rudra

Is the light going to shine on the food as it goes by on a conveyor?  Or is he thinking you are going to do like they do in hospital operating rooms and have UV illumination of the ceiling? 

Thanks for your reply.

it's going to be in a small chamber where there will be filters.

I don't think ultraviolet light is commonly used for yeast and mold control in spices.

UV light is great for vegetative organisms, but really ineffective for spore formers like molds. It takes a TON of exposure to kill spores with UV light, and UV irradiation doesn't penetrate, it only treats the surface of the products (unless they're transparent like some juices and water).

Your better bet is moisture control and a sanitation program that includes QUATs that will leave a residual in your dry spaces and prevent spores from germinating.