Prevention of LM in the

Retail Environment:
Sanitation
2006 Department of Food Science - College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State University
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Overview
Targeted Areas
Biofilms
Harborage sites
The Sanitation Process
Cleaning
Sanitizing

Listeria monocytogenes Biofilms
Biofilms: Definition
A biofilm is an accumulation of bacterial
cells immobilized at a surface and
frequently embedded in a matrix of
bacterial origin
Suspended vs. Attached Cells

Suspended
cells
Attached
cells
Whether the cells are suspended or attached affects:
growth rate
cell wall composition and structure
enzyme activities
sensitivity to antibacterial agents
Where Do Biofilms Form?
Biofilms form on many types of surfaces:
Industrial Medical Environmental
stainless steel teeth soil
plastic lungs plants
drain pipes Jarvik heart marine systems


Biofilm on an Human dental Bacterial biofilm
industrial condensor plaque on a plant root
The Steps to Biofilm
Formation
Biofilm Inactivation
In this example, it takes:
* less than 1 minute to
inactivate 1,000,000
unattached cells

* 12 min. to inactivate
1,000,000 single
attached cells

* 20 min. to inactivate
attached colonies

Clean frequently and
thoroughly for effective
biofilm inactivation
Biofilm Formation In a Food
Establishment
Biofilm formation and strength depends on:
The process (type of food, moisture level)
Facility cleanliness
Cleaning procedure
Sanitation procedures
Temperature
Age of the biofilm
Biofilm formation on glass at 72, 98, 122,
144, 165, 191, 220, 268, and 309 hours
72 98 122
144 165 191
220 268 309
Harborage Sites
Definition: Harborage sites are specific
areas in or near food contact surfaces that
provide the ideal location for Listeria
monocytogenes organisms to survive,
multiply and potentially contaminate food
Harborage Sites
Provide necessary ingredients for growth:
Food
Water
Ideal temperatures
Usually difficult to clean and sanitize
May be easily overlooked during day-to-day
sanitation operations
The Sanitation Process
+
=
Cleaning & Sanitizing

Detergents and physical
action (scrubbing)
remove dirt and organic
material that protect the
biofilm

The dirt and organic
material is rinsed away,
leaving the biofilm
exposed

The sanitizer is able to
penetrate and inactivate
the biofilm

Cleaning
Cleaning is the
removal of all visible
soil
Soil provides the
nutrients for growth of
microorganisms


Cleaning
Two components:
1. Physical action scrubbing, elbow grease
2. Detergents helps remove soil through
chemical interactions
Detergent Action
Grease
Cleaning Agent
Soil removal
Encapsulation process
Surfactant
Detergent Action
Alkali Dispersion Agent
Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil Soil
Soil
Sanitizing
In order for a sanitizer to work, a surface
must be clean!
Sanitizers eliminate harmful levels of
disease-causing microorganisms
Requirements
Appropriate concentration (test often)
Appropriate contact time
Sanitizers
No rinse compounds
Chorine
Iodophors
Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats)
Other FDA-approved compounds
Hot water
temperature = exposure time
Check regulations

Sanitizer Effectiveness
Applied only to visibly clean surfaces
Applied as final step in cleaning program
Resanitize at start-up if time exceeds four
hours since last sanitation
N
u
m
b
e
r

o
f

B
a
c
t
e
r
i
a

Minutes after cleaning
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220
32
16
8
64
128
Rapid
Growth
Sanitation Program
Who?
Appropriately trained employee
SSOP
What?
Consider equipment, food contact & non-food contact
surfaces
When?
Frequency based on:
Likelihood of contamination
Likelihood of item to come in contact with food

Sanitation Supply Companies
Work with reputable company
Can provide
Advise on implementing & maintaining
sanitation program
Product recommendations based on operation
Training materials