With the ongoing quest for effective antimicrobial interventions, processors would do well to consider hypobromous acid and its precursor, Enviro Tech’s liquid HB2. Lab tests have shown hypobromous acid (generated from the HB2 precursor) is effective in reducing E. coli O157:H7, helping processors comply with their E. coli intervention requirement under FSIS Notice 05-09. Specifically, controlled tests have shown hypobromous acid reduces E. coli O157:H7 and other problem pathogens by as much as 99.959% in a one-minute period and up to 99.999% over five minutes. This compares favorably with other popular antimicrobial interventions in current use.
HB2 has several advantages over other sources of hypobromous acid including DBDMH, in terms of cost, ease of application and safety. Enviro Tech received FDA FCN (Food Contact Notification) 000944 for use of hybobromous acid from HB2. It is listed in 7120.1 R2 and may be used as intervention on red meat and poultry in USDA-inspected plants. HB2 competes favorably with chlorine, peracetic acid (PAA) and acidified sodium chlorite (ASC) both in cost and in its technical effect on E. coli O157:H7 and other problem pathogens such as Listeria, Salmonella and Campylobacter.
Hypobromous acid is a high-efficacy, low-cost antimicrobial intervention approved for use on all beef, pork and lamb. It is non-corrosive and leaves no odor or flavor profile on high-value, portion-cut product. Further, hypobromous acid generated from HB2 is a processing aid and requires no label declaration. As a liquid, it activates easily and instantaneously on site with a neutral pH (6.5 – 7.5) after activation. It is applied at a maximum of 300 parts per million for red meat and a maximum of 200 parts per million for poultry. Pathogen reduction is quick enough for use in portion-cut or grind operations where whole muscle meat or trimmings can move rapidly through the process. Hypobromous acid is a very functional product for use with antimicrobial spray units since it offers a quick-kill of problem pathogens.
Elis Owens, Ph.D., Director, Technical Services, Birko, can be reached at [email protected], 303-289-1090.
