“SAFE-ROOOM” is to increase the food safety in the ingredient and food factories.
A new year asks for new solutions. In 2017, INFUSER will initiate a technological development of the unique and patented Full-Depth Disinfection Cycle (FDDC) with focus on the food safety in the food producing industry. An initiative that is based on repeating international requests from food and ingredients manufactures, budgeting for about 4 million DKK (540,000 EURO). As one amongst 20 innovative Danish projects, INFUSER is proud to be have been granted a significant financial contribution from The Market Development Fund (Markedsmodningsfonden) along with specialized support from the Danish investment and development company CAPNOVA.
FOOD SAFETY: CLEAN FROM EARTH TO TABLE
That is the end-goal of this project, which will be manifested as a fully automated disinfection unit, currently going under the working title “SAFE-ROOOM”. The unit will cleanse the air and all surfaces by applying INFUSER’s unique FDDC technology – a fully automatic and module based solution for effective disinfection of whole rooms.
The solution from INFUSER distinguishes itself by effectively eliminating microorganisms in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way that prevents bacterial food poisoning and product market recalls. Market recalls are costly, image and brand damaging, therefore the demand for hygiene factors in production and processing lines is internationally growing.
INFUSER has already experience in dealing with harmful microorganisms in other sectors, including the healthcare sector, and as such, we are positive that the method in question will apply for the food and ingredients industry as well, once further developed with scientific proficiency. Over the next couple of years, INFUSER will test and develop a solution that will provide a reliable result, free from harmful chemicals and particles. A solution that will make a difference for manufacturers of fast food (such as sandwiches and salads in retail), cheese, meet, dairies, bread and the like.
ABOUT SAFE-ROOOM:
SAFE-ROOM aims at providing a new and innovative solution to improve hygiene in the food and ingredient factories. It is a new way to perform whole-room disinfection, by offering a unique combination of benefits that no other competitive solutions can offer, and namely:
• no human work
• fully automated and monitored
• short treatment time
• chemical-free
• consumable free and by-product free
The SAFE-ROOOM addresses pathogens issues found in a broad spectrum of industries and local settings with a prime focus on air and surface disinfection in the food and ingredient industry. It will contribute in rising food safety to the benefit of the food industry, the consumers, the society and the environment.
SELECTED FOOD SAFETY FACTS AND NUMBERS FROM DENMARK AND EU
In the 2013 annual report from DTU on Zoonoses in Denmark, 74 food-borne outbreaks were reported. They affected a total of 2,066 persons. In 2014, the RASFF (Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, founded by the European Commission) counted nine product recalls due to contamination by pathogenic microorganisms in Denmark and 72 in Europe.
In addition, in 2014, 12 people died in Denmark from a Listeria contamination on “rullepølse” products, with devastating consequences both for the food industry and for Denmark. The recurring challenges in this field illustrate that despite the cleaning procedures in place, food contamination is a reality and new solutions are required to improve the food safety.
PROJECT STAKEHOLDERS:
Chr. Hansen A/S
Frankly Juice A/S
Metropolitan University College
University of Copenhagen, Biofilm Test Facility
External sources:
Capnova: INFUSER modtager 1.5 million kroner fra Markedsmodningsfonden
The Market Development Fund: Markedsmodningsfonden uddeler 44 mio. kr. til innovative forretningsideer
Food Quality News: INFUSER and partners to scale-up disinfection technology, January 2017
