U.S – TOMI Environmental Solutions, Inc. (“TOMI”), a global company specializing in disinfection and decontamination solutions, has at the 2022 International Association for Food Production (IAFP) Meeting, demonstrated the effectiveness of its SteraMist disinfection solutions in preserving the shelf life of produce.
TOMI presented its products at the IAFP meeting which was graced by prominent food safety, academic, and governmental professionals.
The Company demonstrated its SteraMist iHP cold plasma technology and how SteraMist preserves the shelf life of produce.
It also presented a poster summarizing the fourth and latest published paper by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which stated that “Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) residues on the surface of tomato fruit decreased rapidly after the treatment.”
“After proven success, SteraMist has set a standard for effective disinfection in the life sciences industry, and we believe that is the same course the food safety industry is taking. In time, we believe SteraMist will become the food safety industry standard for disinfection as well.”
According to TOMI, disinfecting food while leaving no residue on food is particularly important to maintain the quality and freshness of the product, as such they vouch for SteraMist, which uses H2O2 solutions, to deliver this important advantage.
The company revealed that it has been working with partners to produce additional studies assessing the effectiveness of SteraMist iHP technology in killing commonly found pathogens on surfaces and produce.
SteraMist partners that conduct these studies and testing, such as the USDA and IESC, are critical to ensure that we develop the optimal solution to protect our food from pathogens and contamination, Elissa (E.J.) Shane, COO of TOMI, stated.
“We believe that the food safety industry is following the same path as life sciences companies for TOMI in terms of thinking and implementing disinfection measures. Multiple studies, trials and requirement were developed before SteraMist was accepted in the life sciences industry,” he said.
A recent study was conducted in a large-scale CEA vertical farm (Kalera Inc.) using 7.8% BIT Solution and SteraMist equipment.
Molds such as Alternaria (Ulocladium), Aspergillus/Pennicillum, Acremonium++, and Botrytis levels went from high/medium to non-existent/nondetectable showing a dramatic reduction of fungal growth and mold spores after the use of SteraMist disinfection.
With a notable effectiveness against Alternaria, a species causing 20% yield loss in annual vegetable production, SteraMist is able to cut the amount of shrinkage and, in turn, reduce labor costs with the ease-of-use and no dwell time or no wiping needed.
“After proven success, SteraMist has set a standard for effective disinfection in the life sciences industry, and we believe that is the same course the food safety industry is taking. In time, we believe SteraMist will become the food safety industry standard for disinfection as well,” said Shane.
TOMI provides environmental solutions for disinfection through the manufacturing, sales and licensing of its premier Binary Ionization Technology (BIT) platform.
BIT solution utilizes a low percentage hydrogen peroxide as its only active ingredient and uses patented ionized Hydrogen Peroxide (iHP) technology in all SteraMist systems to create superior disinfection.
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