Contaminant-resistant switches and covers for food processors
Food manufacturers have fresh weaponry to aid their fight against factory contamination in the form of electric switches and dust and splash covers with anti-bacterial, anti-mould and anti-fungal coatings.
The new food safety tools are the fruits of a collaboration between Arcolectric – an Elektron Technology connectivity brand – and global antimicrobial solutions specialist BioCote Ltd.
Recent high profile reports into antibiotic resistance had highlighted the need for robust infection prevention strategies, helping to eliminate antibiotic resistant organisms before they can cause infection, Elektron Technology claimed.
Silver ion technology
Arcolectric can now incorporate BioCote active silver ion technology into its full range of rocker, push button and double pole switches, as well as dust and splash resistant covers.
The products were particularly suitable for the food processing sector, as well as laboratories and healthcare environments, said Elektron Technology.
The treatment reduces the presence of bacteria by up to 99.9 %, with no decrease in efficacy for the expected life span of the component, according to the firm.
‘First contact point’
“Switches and controls are often the first contact point for a user when they interact with a product, making these ‘high traffic’ areas a key target in the fight against microbial contamination,” said John McVeigh, product manager for Arcolectric.
“Integration of BioCote’s innovative antimicrobial technology into our components represents an important step forward, providing our customers with a straightforward enhancement that will benefit end users without impacting on equipment design or manufacture.”
