Updated UV dose response data for common food and beverage pathogens

In October 2016, the International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) published an updated document of UV dose response data.  This update included new research from peer-reviewed journals over the past 10 years and includes new data for many common microorganisms of concern in both the municipal drinking water community as well as the food and beverage industry.  In many cases, UV dose responses were evaluated for up to 5 log reductions.

Common organisms of concern in the food and beverage industry are noted below along with their UV dose requirements.  The UV dose required for a 4 or 5 log inactivation is included where available.

For all the organisms noted above, a 40mJ/cm2 dose would provide a 4 log inactivation.  Note that the 40mJ/cm2 dose would be a RED (reduction equivalent dose) and not based on average dose sizing theory.

As a food and beverage manufacturer, it’s important to suggest that your UV manufacturer size their system based on a validated dose or a RED dose to ensure that the minimum UV dose you require is being delivered at all times.  Sizing based on average dose or non-validated systems may not provide enough energy throughout all points in the UV chamber to ensure proper inactivation of the target organisms.

In addition to the organisms noted above, a wealth of new data was included for Adenovirus, which has become the most commonly used challenge organism when it comes to UV virus inactivation.  4 log adenovirus inactivation UV dose requirements ranged considerably across these various studies, but most industry experts still utilize a 120mJ/cm2 dose for medium pressure UV technology and 186mJ/cm2 dose for low pressure UV technology when sizing UV for 4 log virus inactivation.

A full copy of the IUVA report entitled “Fluence (UV Dose) Required to Achieve Incremental Log Inactivation of Bacteria, Protozoa, Viruses and Algae” is linked below.  The updated report is part of the Fall issue of the IUVA News (Vol. 18, Issue 3).

https://www.iuva.org/

Feel free to contact Aquionics directly for UV dose response data for any organisms that may be of concern to your facility.