Sanitize Surfaces with Vyv and Purify Air with Bluezone

Cleaning and sanitizing have always been important duties for foodservice businesses, but with the arrival of the Covid pandemic, they became more important and more topical for everyday diners. The reality is cleaning and sanitizing have always been the most important tasks in any type of foodservice operation. Today, people are just paying more attention.

Cleaning Vs Sanitizing

Though the terms cleaning and sanitizing often appear in the same sentence, they are not the same. Cleaning is essentially the process of removing dirt and debris, which is most often visible. To generalize, then, cleaning is the act of removing visible particles such as dirt along a baseboard or food on the tabletop. It can include shining fixtures or wiping down workspaces. The problem is even though things might look clean to the naked eye, it can still be teeming with microbes.

The goal of sanitizing is to eliminate germs and harmful particulates. They’re often invisible, and they don’t always have to be on surfaces like countertops, bars, or bathroom sinks. As we learned during the past two years, they can reside in the air, and they don’t always have to relate to food consumption. In fact, sanitizing is often not related to the meals at all, and a restaurant sanitizer will go well beyond the ingredients on the menu.

Let’s take a look at some important tools for restaurant sanitization.

What is Antimicrobial Light?

One method of sanitization is 405nm antimicrobial light. This type of light is shined on surfaces to create an inhospitable environment for viruses, bacteria, and other microbes, continuously killing organisms over time. The unique part of this UV-Free germ-killing light is it is able to be used 24/7 around people and equipment. Typically, antimicrobial lighting does not replace approved sanitizers for foodservice, but instead is used around the clock to  create a constant zone of protection.

Vyv is a new Middleby solution that uses 405nm antimicrobial light that is produced using LEDs. LED lighting is very energy-efficient, so the cost of running a Vyv light is low. Lights are installed in overhead locations so they’re not in the way of busy food preparation staff, nor are they intrusive to customers. The visible light is white creating a solution that provides both germicidal action and lighting within a given space. Effectiveness? Vyv kills* viruses including SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) and bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and mold.

Vyv has partnered with Middleby to deliver cleaner food preparation environments by introducing Middleby products with embedded Vyv LEDs.

Do UV Air Purifiers Work?

Air purification has been a popular buzzphrase over the last few years, but do they really work? Simply put, the answer is yes. The full answer is a bit more complex. There are a few key features to look for to ensure maximum protection and ease of operation.

First, consider UV-C light as a means of air purification, as it is most effective at killing pathogens in the air. UV-C air purification systems like Bluezone from Middleby can operate with both customers and staff within the room, creating a 24/7 “bluezone” of safety. Effectiveness? Bluezone kills up to 99.9995% of viral pathogens such as the coronavirus, and it’s used and recommended by some of the world’s top organizations including the U.S. military and the Israeli Ministry of Health, a global leader in combating Covid-19

The Bluezone UV Model 450 air purifier has also just received FDA clearance as a type II medical device. It’s simple to use as a standing floor tower that can just be plugged into the wall. Units also can be mounted in the ceiling.

The most important part of foodservice? Creating a safe environment for patrons. Having best practices in place to keep restaurants clean and sanitized is important in maintaining customer satisfaction and health. Download our checklist for creating safe dining experiences to learn more.

 

Sanitize Surfaces and Air

 

*Testing on a non-enveloped virus (MS2 bacteriophage) showed a 97.12% reduction in controlled laboratory testing in 8 hours on hard surfaces. Testing on SARS-CoV-2 (enveloped virus) showed a 98.45% reduction in controlled laboratory testing in 4 hours on hard surfaces. Testing on MRSA and E. coli showed 90%+ reduction in controlled laboratory testing in 24 hours on hard surfaces. Results may vary depending on the amount of light that is reaching the surfaces in the space where the product is installed and the length of time of exposure. Use of Vyv antimicrobial light is not intended to replace manual cleaning and disinfection practices.

Topics: Restaurants