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5 Proven Ways to Eliminate Biofilm in Food Processing
Why PerQuat® Is the Gold Standard
Biofilm isn’t just a cleaning challenge, it’s a major food safety risk. Responsible for up to 60% of foodborne illness outbreaks, biofilm can harbor pathogens that resist traditional sanitation methods, leading to contamination and costly recalls. Effective biofilm management means removing the biofilm structure itself, not just killing the organisms inside.
Why is biofilm so hard to eliminate? Its extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix acts like armor, shielding bacteria from sanitizers, heat, and other environmental stresses. Here are five proven strategies to tackle biofilm—and why EPA-registered PerQuat technology is the ultimate solution.
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Manual Scrubbing with Soap
Scrubbing with a multi-soil detergent can help break down biofilm and remove it from surfaces. But this method has two major drawbacks:
- Labor-intensive: Scrubbing every surface in a facility is impractical.
- Limited efficacy: Most soaps lack kill claims and cannot penetrate biofilm layers.
Scrubbing alone rarely achieves complete biofilm control.
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High Heat
Extreme heat can kill biofilm bacteria. Sustained exposure above 265°F for 10 minutes works, but:
- It may damage sensitive equipment.
- It poses safety risks for employees.
- It doesn’t fully remove the EPS structure, allowing biofilm to reform quickly.
Heat is useful for sterilization but not a standalone solution.
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Chemical Oxidation
Oxidizing agents like chlorine bleach or ozone can attack biofilm, but they come with limitations:
- EPS-Reactive Oxidizers (e.g., chlorine bleach) react indiscriminately, risking equipment damage and requiring high concentrations.
- EPS-Penetrating Oxidizers (e.g., PAA, chlorine dioxide) penetrate biofilm layers but cannot remove the structure from surfaces.
Oxidizers help kill pathogens but fall short of complete biofilm elimination.
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EPA-Registered Biofilm Agents: The PerQuat Advantage
This is where Sterilex’s PerQuat technology changes the game. Unlike traditional oxidizers, PerQuat is EPA-approved to both kill biofilm organisms and remove biofilm from surfaces. Here’s why it’s the best solution:
- Dual-action chemistry: Combines hydrogen peroxide (oxidizer) with a quaternary ammonium phase transfer catalyst.
- Deep penetration: Breaks through the EPS matrix and releases peroxide inside the biofilm.
- Complete removal: Eliminates biofilm without relying on mechanical scrubbing.
PerQuat delivers true biofilm control, reducing contamination risk and protecting your brand.
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Ongoing Maintenance and Prevention
Biofilm can regrow in hours if not fully removed. A proactive sanitation program should include:
- Routine inspections.
- Preventive chemical treatments with biofilm removal agents like PerQuat.
- Integration with standard cleaning protocols.
Prevention is always easier and less costly than remediation.
The Bottom Line
Managing biofilm requires more than traditional cleaning. While scrubbing, heat, and oxidizers play a role, PerQuat technology offers the most effective, EPA-registered solution for killing and removing biofilm. Incorporating PerQuat into your sanitation program ensures a safer processing environment and minimizes the risk of foodborne illness and recalls.
