Chemicals 'most effective' cleaners

Thursday 29th of November 2007

Chemical detergents are the most effective method of removing micro-organisms, but are also the most expensive, according to a new study.

A report from the UK Campden Chorleywood Food Research Association (CCFRA) compared the effectiveness of washing surfaces with hot and cold water - that was either full of chemicals or chemical-free - on the removal of potentially dangerous bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The hot water and chemical option was the most effective in terms of the amount of bacteria it removed - and it was almost the expensive option out of the four.

Chemical-based cleaner is more effective than just water alone, the study found - while hot water is more effective than cold. Impact pressure has no significant effect on microbial removal, according to the CCFRA.

"This research will help industry appreciate where the greatest costs are incurred and optimise these - for example, through better use of water, cleaning chemicals and energy," foodproductiondaily.com quotes the report's authors as saying.