Method for cleaning and/or disinfecting food processing equipment

Abstract

A composition for a cleaning-in-place system is described. The composition has a halogen dioxide and a optionally hydroxide and does not require the use of a detergent to display excellent cleaning and disinfecting properties on processing equipment such as the equipment found in breweries, dairy plants and carbonated beverage plants.

1. A method for cleaning and/or disinfecting food processing equipment, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) delivering an aqueous liquid cleaning-in-place composition in the absence of a detergent to the processing equipment at a minimum linear velocity from about  1.5 to about  2.5   meters per second through a conduit having an inside diameter from about 0.25 cm to about 20 cm  thereby allowing for cleaning and/or disinfecting the food processing equipment; and  
 (b) removing and/or eliminating the composition from the  said food processing equipment,  
 
       wherein the composition is an aqueous solution comprising
 a halogen dioxide, the halogen dioxide being derived from a precursor alkali metal halite or alkaline earth metal halite, or both, the food processing equipment being brewery equipment, dairy equipment or carbonated beverage plant equipment.  
 a halogen dioxide, the halogen dioxide being derived from a precursor alkali metal halite or alkaline earth metal halite, or both.  
 
     
     
       2. A method for cleaning and disinfecting processing equipment according to  claim 1  wherein the halogen dioxide is fluorine dioxide, chlorine dioxide or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
       3. A method for cleaning and disinfecting processing equipment according to  claim 1  wherein the halogen dioxide is a chlorine dioxide. 
     
     
       4. A method for cleaning and disinfecting processing equipment according to  claim 1  wherein the composition further  comprises a hydroxide wherein the hydroxide is sodium hydroxide . 
     
     
       5. A method for cleaning an disinfecting processing equipment according to  claim 1  wherein the composition is delivered by pumping or spraying the composition to the processing equipment. 
     
     
       6. A method for cleaning and disinfecting processing equipment according to  claim 1  wherein the composition is:
 (a) generated directly before delivery to the processing equipment, or  
 (b) generated, then stored, then delivered to the processing equipment, or  
 (c) both.  
 
     
     
       7. A method for cleaning and disinfecting processing equipment according to  claim 1  wherein the conduit has an inside diameter of  0 . 25  cm to about  20  cm thereby allowing for the cleaning and disinfecting of food processing equipment. 
     
     
       8. A method for cleaning and disinfecting processing equipment according to  claim 1  wherein the processing equipment including filling machines is for use in the food and beverage industry. 
     
     
       9. A method for cleaning and disinfecting processing equipment according to  claim 1  wherein the food processing equipment is selected from the group consisting of brewery equipment, dairy equipment, and beverage equipment. 
     
     
       10. A method for cleaning and disinfecting processing equipment according to  claim 1  wherein the food processing equipment is a filling machine. 
     
     
       11. A method for cleaning and disinfecting processing equipment according to  claim 4  wherein the hydroxide is sodium hydroxide.