January 2010

RADICAL TESTS PROVE OZONZATED WATER ANTI-BACTERIA EFFICIENCY ON FRESH PRODUCE

New tests results from Campden BRI have proven, for the first time, the efficiency of treating fresh produce for salmonella, listeria and e-coli by treating them with ozonated water. The Radical’s Ozonated Water Spray was highly effective at decontaminating whole cabbages the independent study concluded.

Effective against bacteria, viruses, yeasts and moulds, the Radical Water System create unstable molecules of oxygen. In their frantic attempt to find other molecules to bond with, these literally crash into any micro-organisms they find, killing them on contact.

The system increases shelf-life and reduces the spoilage and potential waste from perishables, offering longer life to fresh produce that is flown all over the world. With ever-growing concerns over the long-term safety and environmental impact of alternative chemical-based anti-bacterial agents, the Radical Water System offers food and drink processors distinct advantages.

It dispenses with the need for chemicals, using only naturally occurring substances which do not impact on the environment. The ozonated water created is completely safe to handle, leaving no taints or residues, and breaks down after use into water and oxygen.

Mark Fielding, director of Radical, says: “This is a very encouraging set of results and demonstrates the potential of this technology in helping fresh fruit and vegetable processors protect their produce from potentially dangerous contaminants whilst avoiding the use of chemical-based sprays.”

Only in September this year a recall of spinach from Canada, after routine testing detected Salmonella and a recall of over 1700 bags of spinach occurred. In 2006 there were five deaths form e-coli infected spinach, and a total 205 cases of E. coli infection were detected.

The Radical Water System uses naturally occurring biocides, generated by advanced oxidation technology, to deliver massive reductions in harmful micro-organisms that can cause salmonella, listeria, e-coli and other common hygiene related illnesses.

Mark Fielding, director of Radical, continues:

“In response to the ever-increasing demands for high standards of hygiene, we have developed our revolutionary technology with unrivalled anti-bactera results. The Radical Water System is not only extremely effective in providing a long-term guard against unwanted micro-organisms, it does so in a way which keeps costs down whilst at the same time being safe and environmentally-friendly.”

Samples of cabbages were deliberately infected with salmonella, listeria and e-coli the results summarised in the table below.

Results of decontamination study using ozonated water spray on fresh cabbages

	Before Radical	After 60 secs spray (With Radical ozonated water spray)
Samonella	2.9 – 4.4 log cfu/swab	Below level of detection
E.Coli	3.1- 4.2 log cfu/swab	Below or near level of detection
Listeria	4.4 - 5.7 log cfu/swab	0.7 - 0.8 log cfu/swab

Radical has in-depth knowledge and experience across a variety of industry sectors and is able to offer bespoke packages for clients.
For further information contact Mark Fielding on +44 (0) 161 430 8721 or visit www.radical.gb.com