Thank you for responding Simon,
We have been testing these rollers that come in contact with the film via ATP testing for over four years. All testing is done weekly on these rollers and all testing is always within acceptable ranges with one general exception.
Every time we run a substantial amount of Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDP) films we will at times get a result outside of acceptability. This only occurs because LLPDs are treated with a component known as "slip". The film's natural characteristics make it very clingy and unable to manage in the environment where the films are shaped and filled as bags. Traditional "slip" is a waxy additive composed of several things including unsaturated fatty acid amides. So it is this that is triggering the above acceptable ATP results. However, my argument is that this same "slip" component migrates on the product that will eventually be encased in the bag the film is shaped into and I don't believe the "slip" is a hospitable environment for bacterial growth.
Is there a better test we could be doing to prove that the environment in general including the film contact rollers (a dry environment, no water, no floor drains, climate controlled) are not an environment that would nurture or sustain bacteriological growth.
I have been unable to find a case of food borne illness related to cross contamination via plastic film packaging. If any of you know of one please send me a link.....
Thank you,
Alex Duckworth