Antimicrobial Additives in Hygiene Equipment: Separating The Reality From The Concept

Antimicrobial Additives in Hygiene Equipment:
Separating Reality From Concept.

Any source of cross-contamination is rightly a key focus for every food manufacturer. Small hygiene and production tools often get a lot of attention - not only do they regularly come into contact with many different surfaces, they also have the ability to wander between zones!

In this short article we take a quick look at the effectiveness of using antimicrobial additives in hygiene/ production utensils, and whether this technology delivers what the food industry requires of it to limit cross-contamination.

First, what is it and how does it work?

An antimicrobial additive is added to the polymer when the utensil is moulded. The most commonly used additives are silver ion-based. This is because silver is a natural antibacterial metal and doesn't contain the toxins present in some other metals.

Silver has been used to prevent the spread of germs for centuries, so how does it work in food contact equipment? Put simply, when bacteria comes into contact with the silver antimicrobial agent, it's growth is disrupted. This prevents it from multiplying and spreading.
Sounds good. What's not to like about it?

The first point to remember is that the food factories in which cleaning utensils are used, are very different to the laboratories where such additives are tested!

For the antimicrobial silver to work effectively, the tools must be kept clean and free from any film or soiling when in use. Any build-up of organic matter on the utensil will bar the antimicrobial element from having the contact it needs with the debris in order to neutralise it.

The silver additive also requires the right amount of time at the right temperature and humidity so that it can work effectively. Getting all three of these factors just right in a food factory is a big ask!

Tool design is a significant influence to take into account. All of Klipspringer's professional hygiene and production utensils have been designed for maximum hygiene, operational effectiveness and ease of cleaning. These three factors are far more important - and effective - in preventing cross-contamination than any additive!

Remember, traditional cleaning involves physically removing debris; however powerful the antimicrobial additive, it will not remove foreign bodies and has zero effect on pests, allergens and microbial toxins.

Perhaps the most salient consideration is how staff perceive antimicrobial utensils. All too often, antimicrobial tools are perceived by staff to be 'self-cleaning'. This leads to a reduction in the level of cleaning and sanitation given to the equipment, and a consequent drop in hygiene and maintenance practices. The irony of the situation is that a product brought in to improve hygiene - at significant extra expense - could very quickly lead to a decline in hygiene standards, along with a sharp rise in cross-contamination risks!

So, worthwhile investment or innovation novelty? We'll leave you to decide!

In the meantime, why not check out Klipspringer's range of professional colour coded hygiene and production equipment?

View The Colour Coded Hyigene & Production Utensil Range