CSIO transfers tech to enhance food safety in public areas

Chandigarh, December 21

Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) here has transferred the technology of ‘Electrostatic Disinfection Machine’ developed by it to a Karnataka-based company for its commercial production and marketing.

The technology, developed under the CSIR’s Food and Consumer Safety Solutions (FOCUS) programme, will help in enhancing hygiene in outlets of edible products in public areas and increase food safety levels in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Surfaces, which are not cleaned properly and disinfected regularly, can become a hotbed for pathogens growth. Fruits and vegetables, poultry, livestock, food commodities, healthcare, public transport, airports and railways, hotels and catering, workplace and offices are the objects and places where harmful microorganisms make people vulnerable to diseases. The conventional methods of disinfection such as manual washing and cleaning consume more material with lesser efficiency and increased load of chemical waste in the environment.

The Electrostatic Disinfection Machine based on the electrostatic principle produces uniform and fine spray droplets of disinfection material in the range of 10-20 µm. Due to the small size of droplets, the surface area of spray droplets increases, which enhances the interaction with the harmful microorganisms.

Dr Manoj K Patel, senior scientist and project investigator, said, “The charged droplets cover the directly exposed and obscured surfaces uniformly with increased efficiency and efficacy. Therefore, it kills or inhibits the growth of pathogens. The machine uses very less disinfection material as compared to conventional methods, which helps to save natural resources and negligible increase of chemical waste in the environment.” — TNS