Shining a light on emerging pathogens

atg UV Technology, the UK’s leading manufacturer of ultraviolet water disinfection systems, has developed a range of UV disinfection units to meet the needs of the food and beverage industry. Waterborne micro-organisms are responsible for adverse effects on flavour, colour, odour and shelf life of products and, of course, potential health risks to consumers. A number of emerging pathogens, like Cryptosporidium and Giardia are showing increased resistance to chlorine disinfection. As a result, the food and beverage industry is tightening its already stringent microbiological safety and quality standards for process water, product water and sugar solutions.

UV irradiation has a long history in pharmaceutical and drinking water disinfection where it has been proven that 254nm UVC light, at the correct and consistent dosage inactivates the whole range of spoilage microorganisms – viruses, bacteria, moulds and protozoans – even chemically resistant ones  including thermophilic bacteria which are resistant to pasteurisation. UV systems from atg UV Technology are entirely chemical-free, low maintenance and cost-effective and can be used in a range of process applications, from CIP rinsing to liquid sugar. Unlike alternative methods of disinfection, UV leaves no contaminating toxins or residues and there is no change to the chemical composition, colour, taste, odour or pH of the fluid being treated.

The success of UV disinfection depends on ensuring that the applied dose is always sufficient to inactivate the target microorganisms. atg’s UV systems closely match the US EPA guidelines for equipment validation – the standard generally adopted for UV disinfection systems. And with continuous UV intensity monitoring as standard, you can be totally confidant that the UV dose is always being delivered.

For further information visit www.atguv.com for chemical-free disinfection systems.

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