March/April 2023 - 15

FOOD HANDLING
SOMETHING IN THE WATER
COMPANIES PIONEER WASH WATER DISINFECTION
By Melanie Epp
Contributing Writer
WHEN CONSUMERS PURCHASE
processed produce, such as bags of leafy
greens, they expect it to be clean and
safe to consume, and to have a reasonable
shelf life. Processors need to be able to
deliver these products without using
excessive amounts of water, and in some
countries like The Netherlands, without
the use of chemical disinfectants such
as chlorine.
Two companies, Sormac and Arrowlake,
showcased nonchemical innovations for
wash water disinfection at Fruit Logistica
2023 in Berlin.
Sormac develops new
UV-C Unit for wash lines
During the washing process of fresh
fruits and vegetables, wash water becomes
contaminated with microorganisms.
To prevent multiplication and crosscontamination,
wash water needs to be
disinfected. While many processors rely on
chemicals such as chlorine for sanitation,
in the Netherlands, use of the chemical
has been banned,
leaving processors
looking for alternative solutions.
To address this issue, Sormac
investigated the use of UV-C technology
to disinfect washing water. Marianne
Knorr-Jansen, quality and research, led
the pilot-scale study in Sormac's in-house
laboratory. She said that as long as UV-C,
the shortest wavelength of three forms
of UV, is used correctly, the technology
offers a viable solution for wash water
disinfection, targeting bacteria, bacterial
spores, parasites and viruses.
Using UV for disinfection purposes is
not new, especially in other sectors. But
Knorr-Jansen said she and the team at
Sormac weren't sure it would be effective
enough in dirty wash water.
 Camilla Khrulova (left) and Arrowlake colleague Jurgen Bischhaus developed an ozone generator, an all-in-one water
quality management system called the FLO W, specifically for the food processing sector. Photo: Melanie Epps
Sormac's research and development
team first built a prototype and began
testing bacterial load at various 'doses,'
which varied based on contact time and UV
intensity. They also tested to see how far
UV light could reach, and whether it could
be transmitted effectively in dirty water.
Sormac's UV-C unit is an add-on for its
washing machines. It disinfects washing
water through homogeneous illumination
of wash water. The UV intensity is
measured by two sensors and regulated
as needed. The lamps are covered with
a protective sleeve, which prevents glass
from entering the wash water should a
breakage occur.
According to Knorr-Jansen, the unit
offers three benefits for processors.
It reduces the likelihood of crosscontamination.
Because microbiologically
cleaner product lasts longer, it extends
product shelf life. Finally,
it offers
financial savings in terms of limiting
fresh water use.
Sormac's UV-C unit has been on the
market for more than a year.
Ozone generator solution
from Arrowlake
During the processing of fruits and
vegetables, conditions can change
throughout the day.
Bacterial load will fluctuate depending
on a variety of factors, including weather
conditions, the quality of raw product
coming in, the people handling the
product, and the equipment used to
process it. This means the quality of
process water will vary throughout the
cycle as well.
Many processors look to chemicals such
as chlorine to disinfect water. Some simply
PRODUCE PROCESS ING
15

March/April 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March/April 2023