GabuTech ApS — Pathway to better processes
Solution 02

Food-Contact Equipment Decontamination

Rapid treatment concepts for food-contact equipment and production surfaces

Overview

Application overview

SonoSteam is a proven solution for the rapid treatment of knives, cutting tools, conveyor belts, food boxes and crates, selected processing surfaces, and packaging-related equipment.

With treatment times of just one to two seconds, the process can be integrated into ongoing production without disrupting throughput.

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Specification

Key facts and features

  • Knives, cutting tools and cutting equipment
  • Conveyor belts
  • Food boxes and crates
  • Selected processing surfaces
  • Packaging-related equipment
Documented performance

Documented test results for this application

Slaughter knives

Enterobacteriaceae and Total Viable Count (TVC)

No detectable bacteria after a one-second treatment in the documented test

Treatment time
1.0 second
Test setting
Knives received from a Danish slaughterhouse, naturally contaminated with meat residues from the process line
log₁₀ CFU/4 cm²
Enterobacteriaceae4.88 → not detected
Before
After
TVC6.40 → not detected
Before
After
Test details
Target microorganism
Enterobacteriaceae and Total Viable Count (TVC)
Application
Slaughter knives
Treatment time
1.0 second
Initial level
Enterobacteriaceae 4.88 log₁₀ CFU/4 cm²; TVC 6.40 log₁₀ CFU/4 cm² (equal to 2,511,886 bacteria per 4 cm² handle)
Reduction achieved
No detectable Enterobacteriaceae or TVC after treatment
Relative reduction
Below the detection limit
Test setting
Knives received from a Danish slaughterhouse, naturally contaminated with meat residues from the process line
Sampling method
Swab sampling before and after treatment; each knife treated individually.
Number of samples
N=3
Detection limit
Below 10 CFU/swab
Limitations and observations
The knives quickly returned toward normal temperature and protein residues did not become fixed to the tested knives.
Commercial food boxes

Total Viable Count (TVC)

No detectable TVC after a one-second treatment in the documented test

Treatment time
1.0 second
Test setting
Food box received from a Danish slaughterhouse, naturally contaminated at the process line
log₁₀ CFU/20 cm²
Result4.71 → not detected
Before
After
Test details
Target microorganism
Total Viable Count (TVC)
Application
Commercial food boxes
Treatment time
1.0 second
Initial level
4.71 log₁₀ CFU/20 cm² (equal to 51,286 bacteria per 20 cm² box area)
Reduction achieved
No detectable TVC after treatment
Relative reduction
Below the detection limit
Test setting
Food box received from a Danish slaughterhouse, naturally contaminated at the process line
Sampling method
Swab sampling before and after treatment; each piece treated individually.
Number of samples
N=3
Detection limit
Below 10 CFU/swab
Limitations and observations
No visible changes were observed on the tested food box.
Conveyor belt — Scanbelt (S. 50-401, PE/Blue)

Total Viable Count (TVC)

No detectable TVC after a two-second treatment in the documented test

Treatment time
2.0 seconds
Test setting
Belt segments artificially contaminated with different types of bacteria
log₁₀ CFU/45 cm²
Result6.30 → not detected
Before
After
Test details
Target microorganism
Total Viable Count (TVC)
Application
Conveyor belt — Scanbelt (S. 50-401, PE/Blue)
Treatment time
2.0 seconds
Initial level
6.30 log₁₀ CFU/45 cm² (equal to 1,995,262 bacteria per 45 cm² of belt)
Reduction achieved
No detectable TVC after treatment
Relative reduction
Below the detection limit
Test setting
Belt segments artificially contaminated with different types of bacteria
Sampling method
Samples taken by pulsifying the whole conveyor piece.
Number of samples
N=3
Detection limit
Below 10 CFU/swab
Limitations and observations
No physical changes were observed on the tested belt material.

Results shown are application-specific documented test results. Performance depends on product, surface, process conditions, initial contamination and treatment configuration.

These are results from the documented test configurations. A proof of concept is required to confirm performance for other materials, geometries and operating conditions.

View all documented results
Next step

Request a proof of concept for your application.

A proof of concept confirms suitability for your product, surface, capacity and process conditions.

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