Processors of perishable food products, like those in the seafood, poultry, meat and produce industries, can reap even more benefits from their ozone system by adding ozone to their ice. Not only will ozone purify the ice itself, it will also sanitize the ice maker to ensure clean ice is always produced.

According to Jon Deex, President of North Star Ice Equipment, food processors should be vigilant about everything that touches their product during processing, including water, equipment and ice.  “Processors spend a lot of time thinking about keeping their equipment clean, but don’t always consider the ice and water they apply during the process,” he said. 

To ensure a clean supply of ice, ozone can be added to the makeup water for the ice maker. The water is then sterilized for ice making. “The application of ozonated water to the ice maker freezing surface also keeps it sanitized during the ice making process,” Deex added. “The resulting ice will be free of bacteria and other pathogens, so none will be transferred to the product.”

Deex also noted that processors should be certain that their ice makers are compatible with ozone systems.  “North Star ice makers work well with ozone,” he said.  “Currently there are a number of food processing installations that combine North Star flake ice with an ozonated water supply.”

 

 

To learn more about WhiteWater Ozone Systems please visit our website:  www.o3international.com

---

 

Featured Article: 

  

Ozone - Setting the new standard in food safety... 

  

New food safety challenges along with the push for responsible environmental stewardship are changing the way the food industry thinks about sanitation. Ever increasing incidents of food borne illness demonstrates a long overdue need for change. Ozone, a green alternative to conventional chemical sanitation that can be used during processing, is well on its way to becoming the new standard for seafood plant operators.

 

Thankfully, the “bleeding edge” days of ozone are no longer a concern. Seafood processors nationwide are now using ozone successfully as the primary sanitation tool for their operations. Early stage ozone development and application was a bit of a bumpy road, but has now given way to the advanced ozone systems of today capable of meeting the harsh demands of the food processing environment.  

 

Ozone technology today allows for continuous cleaning and sanitizing of the plant during processing without contaminating food products. Fully approved by the FDA for direct food contact, ozone will not leave any residual on the product or product transfer surfaces, giving plant operators the ability to CONTROL bacteria levels at all times during production. This changes the game completely, as most food operations currently have to wait until the end of production to clean and sanitize, allowing bacteria levels to multiply throughout the day.

 

Historically and today, ensuring the microbial safety and quality of seafood products has been a major focus of the seafood industry. With ozone, the industry has a much more effective tool at its disposal to combat these issues. Doing so in a safe and environmentally friendly way.

  

  

For more information about how ozone is used in the seafood industry click here    

---

  

  

Seafood Industry Links

Working together to make a positive difference

  

  

  

 

Food processing equipment design and manufacturing.

  

  

  

Ice machine equipment for the food industry.