Enhancing Food Safety with Advanced Steam Cleaning

Cleanliness and hygiene are non-negotiable in food processing facilities. The safety of consumers, the reputation of brands, and compliance with strict industry regulations all hinge on maintaining impeccable sanitation standards. One technology making waves in the realm of food processing is the dry-vapor steam cleaner. Here’s why food processing facilities are turning to this innovative cleaning method.

In today’s global marketplace, food is being produced and disseminated on such a large scale that adopting modern technology to ensure food safety is crucial to keep people around the world safe from food-borne illnesses. That’s why companies like Campbell’s and Grupo Bimbo  are now using an innovative, eco-friendly, and safety-promoting technology in their facilities: Dry-vapor steam cleaners from Steamericas.

Dry-vapor steam is essentially water vapor that has been heated to an extremely high temperature (well above boiling point). It is then shot through powerful jets to clean and sanitize items. Historically, dry-vapor steam has been administered to heavy machinery, though today, several industries — such as product packaging facilities, wineries and breweries — are benefiting from the unique modus operandi of this technology. In the food industry, dry-vapor steam is celebrated for its ability to help keep pathogens at bay, since these microorganisms—including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites—can pose significant health risks when they contaminate food or surfaces.

Dry-vapor steam offers a wonderful alternative to other cleaning techniques. Chemical oxidizers, for instance, include chlorine, bleach, and hydrogen peroxide based solutions that can be hazardous to human health. Not only that, but using chemicals to clean food equipment can also be ineffective, especially when employees are rushed or malinformed. Dry-vapor steam is considered more efficient than hot water or wet steam because, as a gas, it can quickly and thoroughly sanitize areas that liquids may only reach with additional time and effort.

Let’s dive further into the research behind dry-vapor steam cleaners and understand why they may continue to become an integral feature of safe, eco-friendly manufacturing practices in the future.

How effective are dry-vapor steam cleaners?

In short: Very effective. For instance, Steamericas’ Optima Steamer™ has been proven to be by far the most efficient and effective way to prevent against E.coli, listeria, Campylobacter, Brettanomyces, Staphylococcus, and Zygosaccharomyces bailii. It is nearly as adept at combating Salmonella, ringing in at an efficacy rate of 99.9%. 

These statistics should behoove any processing facility to purchase a steam cleaner. Research shows that bacteria like Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and Campylobacter can survive for hours at room temperature on the stainless steel surfaces. In fact, they might even survive for days, and some variants are even able to resist heat, acidity, and chlorine. 

Given the recent listeria outbreaks, such as those associated with deli meats and Boar’s Head liverwurst, it would be smart to invest in this transformative technology. After all, a case of listeriosis is never pretty: It can entail fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and in the most extreme cases, convulsions, confusion, and even death. Consumers should keep up to date with food recalls and safety alerts on both the USDA’s website and the FDA’s website.

What other benefits does dry-vapor steam cleaning offer?

Using a steam cleaner provides an additional benefit beyond food safety that we at eco18 find particularly fascinating: It is more environmentally friendly than other sanitation methods like the use of chemical solutions. Water usage is mitigated by up to 95% with dry vapor steam, which can especially help relieve environmental pressure on drought-prone areas. There is no runoff and no need for drainage with dry-vapor steam machines, and since zero chemicals are required for them to function, our groundwater supply is safeguarded from harmful industrial substances.

Plus, unlike chemicals, dry-vapor steam cleaners are reusable and require very little additional input. With proper maintenance, these machines can deliver deep cleaning and sanitization for years, making them a reliable long-term investment. Products like Steamericas’ Optima Steamer™ also offer the advantage of portability, enabling businesses to clean equipment on-site and reducing both time and labor costs.