Ecolab has introduced Antimicrobial Fruit and Vegetable Treatment (AFVT), a new product to help lower the risk of foodborne illness outbreaks related to ineffective produce washing in foodservice operations.
Ecolab noted that AFVT is the industry's first no-rinse produce wash to earn both Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for pathogen reduction in the water for whole produce and on the surface of cut fruits and vegetables.
Ecolab Institutional Division marketing vice president Kris Kielsa said that feedback from the foodservice customers indicated a need for a product that is not only effective, but easy to use in a busy commercial kitchen.
"For a cost of less than a penny per plate, AFVT provides restaurant operators with an extra measure of protection against foodborne illness, helping to protect their customers and the reputation of their brand," Kielsa added," Kielsa added.
According to the company, AFVT enhances the appearance of produce, reduces bacteria that cause spoilage and leaves no smell or aftertaste.
AFVT is registered with the EPA2 indicating that it reduces 99.9% of E.coli, Listeria and Salmonella in wash water for raw agricultural commodities. The product also received FDA4 clearance confirming that the new fruit and vegetable wash reduces pathogens on the surface of cut produce.
The new product is being unveiled at the annual National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago.
Ecolab delivers solutions and service to promote safe food, maintain clean environments, optimize water and energy use and improve operational efficiencies. It has 2012 sales of $12bn and 44,000 associates.
