UV wet conveyor product belt sterilisation

08 June 2021
Focus area: Product & process integrity
Program stream: Food safety
Project number: 2020-1050
This project funded the evaluation of the benefit of UV systems on meat primal belts at an Australian meat processing plant. It also determined whether UV systems can increase shelf life and reduce water usage during production periods. 

During the project, trials were done with a prototype UV light from Australian Ultraviolet and delivered conclusive results. There was a reduction of total microbial counts as well as a reduction in E.coli counts when UV light was used on the primal belts. 

This resulted in the reduction of cleaning cycles, saving 22,000 litre per day and product shelf life increased from 120 days to 130 days for primal cuts. 
 
Previous in this focus area 13 December 2020 Revision of the industry Animal Welfare Standard for livestock processing establishments Next in this focus area 25 June 2021 Hide marking proof of concept evaluation