4 COVID-19 disinfecting lessons for food processors

Specific care must be taken when choosing which COVID-19 disinfectants are used and how to apply them for use in meat, poultry and food processing plants.

Roy Graber Headshot
(Andrea Gantz)
(Andrea Gantz)

Specific care must be taken when choosing which COVID-19 disinfectants are used and how to apply them for use in meat, poultry and food processing plants.

Adel Makdesi, senior corporate microbiologist for AFCO, went over general rules for proper disinfection for COVID-19, also known as SARS-CoV-2, during the 2021 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) Marketplace Tech Talk, “Lessons Learned from COVID-19.”

Makdesi offered lessons concerning four general areas:

1. Not all disinfectants are EPA approved for COVID-19

Before selecting a disinfectant, it is important to check if it is listed on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website under List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-Co-V-2, Makdesi said.

If the product is not on the EPA List N, it means it has not been approved against SARS-CoV-2. Even if the label mentions human coronavirus, it might not be effective against SARS-CoV-2.

2. Not all disinfecting procedures are EPA approved

Makdesi said many food processors and other users are using the incorrect procedures to apply disinfectants to fight COVID-19.

“Unless you’re trying to use it, for example, in a fogger or a mister or atomizer or electrostatic sprayer, unless it’s listed on that product label, do not apply it with this procedure. Always follow label directions. If it says a spray, it means you have to spray it only. If it says fog it, then you can use it as a fogger or atomizer. If it says use it as an electrostatice in an electrostatic device, you can you it in an electrpostatic device,” said Makdesi.

“Do not use any of the above application procedures if an application procedure is not listed on the product label. It means that the procedure was not tested and approved by the EPA, and it might not be effective against the source coronavirus.”

3. Clean a surface before disinfecting it

Disinfectants are not effective on soiled or dirty surfaces, Makdesi said.

Soil and dirt cover microbes and germs from the killing effect of the disinfectants, he said, and they also diminish the lethal effect of the disinfectants.

After applying the disinfectant, food-contact surfaces should be rinsed or sanitized, he added.

4. Follow use concentration instructions on the label

It is crucial to follow the recommended concentration levels listed on the disinfectant’s label to assure its effectiveness. When possible, Makdesi said, verify the concentration levels with a testing kit.

Read more from IPPE Marketplace.

View our continuing coverage of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.

Page 1 of 43
Next Page