Forza AW, a sliced meat supplier to Asda, is making use of a novel transfer unit that uses ozone to sanitise materials and products passed between low and high-care production areas.
The ODC Sanitising Transfer Cabinet, developed by Onnic International in collaboration with food packaging specialist Mapcap Technology, has been installed between the wall separating low and high-care rooms and uses ozone generated from air to destroy pathogens.
According to Onnic, independent tests by National Health Service laboratories have shown that pathogen reductions of 3 log (1,000 times fewer) are achieved in common food spoilage bacteria within nine minutes using this technique.
Access doors on both input and exit sides are interlock controlled by microprocessors to prevent both doors being accidentally opened simultaneously.
Forza uses the unit to transfer packed meat products to the low-care area for packing. It can also be used for returning products to the high-care area for further processing, thus avoiding potential contamination.
A second transfer cabinet, large enough to handle palletised items, is now being planned for transferring products from the stores to the high-care area.
Contact: Onnic International; Tel: 01489 578087