Food Protection Trends - May/June 2021 - 366

event of an outbreak of an EVP, there is an immediate need
for disinfection solutions against this pathogen. However,
there may be a lack of virus availability or laboratory
expertise for testing disinfectant efficacy against this new
virus. Therefore, in the interest of public health, the EPA
developed a hierarchical approach to predict the effectiveness
of disinfectants against EVP (10).
Viruses can be categorized into three groups based on their
structure. The organisms that are the hardest to kill (most
resistant) are the small nonenveloped viruses, followed by large
nonenveloped viruses, and the easiest to kill (less resistant)
are enveloped viruses. If a product is registered for use against
a virus in a more resistant category, it can be assumed it will
be effective against viral pathogens in a less resistant category.
However, this is a temporary measure until the virus becomes
available for testing and products can be tested to determine
their true efficacy against the new pathogen.
In the case of SARS-CoV-2, a coronavirus which is an
enveloped virus (easiest to kill), it is logical to assume that it
will be inactivated with common disinfectants with proven,
registered efficacy claims against viruses that are harder to
kill, such as the nonenveloped virus type (e.g., norovirus,
poliovirus, or rhinovirus). However, products that have
small or large nonenveloped viruses listed on their labels
cannot claim efficacy against less resilient viruses identified as
emerging or reemerging pathogens until the EPA has granted
an EVP claim. For example, to claim SARS-CoV-2 control
based on this assumption, one needs either an EVP claim or a
human coronavirus claim. The EVP guidance was " triggered "
early in 2020 as COVID-19 quickly became a public health
threat, which allowed manufacturers to communicate the
expected effectiveness of certain disinfectant products
that were preapproved by the EPA. In addition, the EPA
compiled a searchable list of products with EVP claims
that are appropriate for environmental disinfection and
control of SARS-CoV-2. As the pandemic took hold, the
EPA added products based on additional criteria, such as
efficacy against viruses similar to SARS-CoV-2, to help
alleviate shortages of effective products. This list is known
as List N (12). Meanwhile, the EPA, testing laboratories,
and manufacturers have been working to test the efficacy
of many products specifically against SARS-CoV-2. As
this publication was being prepared, the first few products
tested against SARS-CoV-2 were becoming available on the
market. The EPA has added these products to List N and
continues to promote the use of any products on the list for
disinfection of SARS-CoV-2.
Two points need to be emphasized. First, under pandemic
conditions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative
that antimicrobial products be used according to the
viricidal disinfection directions and not the sanitization
directions if the product can be used as both a sanitizer and a
disinfectant. Second, it is highly recommended that, during
the COVID-19 pandemic, those within the retail food and

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Food Protection Trends May/June

foodservice industry should continue to use their sanitizers
for routine procedures and use disinfectants where necessary,
such as treating high-touch surfaces, cleaning bathrooms, and
decontaminating the facility when there is known exposure.
CURRENT AND FUTURE TRENDS IN
SANITIZING AND DISINFECTING
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has emphasized the
importance of sanitizing and disinfecting unlike anything
seen before in the retail food and foodservice industry.
Even before the pandemic, efforts were underway to
enhance cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting through
innovative formulation and application. Retail food and
foodservice establishments can be challenged by the
complexities of sanitization programs, including multistep
processes, the availability or need for multiple products
with different use instructions, and low-moisture cleaning
processes. The additional pressures of limited time and
space for complicated procedures, high staff turnover,
and the necessity for frequent training make time saving
or simplification of sanitization (and disinfection) very
desirable. Novel products are continually being developed
and introduced to the market to help overcome some of these
challenges by reducing risk, simplifying procedures, and
helping to ensure compliance.
The recent development of procedures for reopening
establishments that have been closed during the pandemic
or for enhanced cleaning during operation have led to an
increase in the availability and popularity of large area
application techniques, such as fogging, misting, and
electrostatic spray. However, the efficacies of these are
unknown at this time, so there is some uncertainty and
confusion about their usability. One of the greatest concerns
is the potential for their misuse. The safety of workers and
bystanders, in addition to effectiveness, should be paramount
in decision making around these application options.
Moreover, the regulatory requirements for products used
through these systems are evolving.
In times of crisis, novel technologies and applications
become very visible in the marketplace. It is important to
note that pesticidal devices like UV and other nonchemical
technologies do not go through the same regulatory rigor
as traditional chemical products, and no standard efficacy
methods exist for these products. Unlike chemical pesticides,
the EPA does not routinely review the safety or efficacy
of pesticidal devices and, therefore, does not confirm
whether or under what circumstances such products might
be effective against the spread of SARS-CoV-2 or other
organisms. Some devices have limitations in how they
are used and in general should only be used as an adjunct
to routine sanitation practices. It is illegal to make false
claims about the effectiveness of a pesticidal device, so any
supporting science for such products should be carefully and
critically assessed before adoption.
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2021

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