The case for full facility disinfection for breweries in the post

June 8, 2023Ken Kershner

The world is eager to put the COVID-19 pandemic behind us and return to a sense of normalcy. However, it is crucial not to become complacent and forget that harmful pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses are still a threat. This is particularly relevant for brewing companies, as maintaining high hygiene standards is vital to ensure the safety of employees and customers. Implementing full facility disinfection across air, water, and surfaces can play a pivotal role in creating a safe and healthy environment in the post-COVID era.

The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of hygiene in all aspects of life. As brewing companies transition to the post-COVID era, it is crucial to recognize that pathogens still pose risks to human health. Recent incidents, such as the contamination scare in England's dairy industry, highlight the need for ongoing vigilance. To prevent illness and potential brand damage, brewing companies must maintain strict hygiene standards, including full facility disinfection.

Full facility disinfection goes beyond routine cleaning procedures and involves leveraging advanced technologies to target every nook and cranny of a brewing facility.

By implementing these comprehensive measures, brewing companies can significantly reduce the risk of pathogens spreading within their facilities.

While many brewing companies ramped up their cleaning protocols during the pandemic, it is crucial not to become complacent as the threat of pathogens persists. Harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses can still pose a risk to workers’ health, making full facility disinfection an ongoing priority. By proactively eliminating risks, brewing companies can create a healthier environment for their employees and customers.

Apart from the obvious health benefits, full facility disinfection also improves the overall work environment. A clean and disinfected workspace has been shown to enhance employee mood, attitude, and productivity. In a pre-pandemic study by Staples, 94% of workers stated that they felt more productive in a clean workspace, and 77% believed they produced higher-quality work in a clean environment. By prioritizing hygiene, brewing companies can boost employee satisfaction and productivity.

Ensuring hygiene standards is not only about protecting workers’ health; it is also about preventing the spread of pathogens to customers through the products workers handle. Viruses and bacteria can easily be picked up from contaminated surfaces and objects, and the infectious agents can then be passed along to customers, leading to widespread illness. The consequences of such incidents can be severe, resulting in brand damage and legal repercussions. Brewing companies must take a proactive approach to disinfection to protect public health and maintain their brand reputation.

In today's interconnected world, negative experiences can quickly reach a wide audience through social media. Customers and employees have the power to share their grievances, including unhygienic work environments or contaminated products, thereby damaging a company's reputation. By prioritizing hygiene and implementing robust disinfection standards, brewing companies can mitigate the risk of negative publicity and maintain consumer trust.

Traditional chemical disinfection methods, such as chlorine, have long been used in the food industry. However, these methods come with concerns related to taste, odor, environmental damage, and safety risks. UV disinfection presents a better alternative. UV technology effectively inactivates pathogens without altering the taste or odor of products.

Moreover, UV disinfection has a smaller carbon footprint, lower energy consumption, and almost no safety concerns. It has become increasingly popular across various industries and offers a sustainable and efficient solution for disinfection.

Brown Brothers winery in Victoria, Australia, known for its innovative winemaking, has installed a UV disinfection system for water treatment in partnership with Fluidquip Australia. The fourth-generation family winery chose Nuvonic's UV disinfection technology to ensure clean and bio-secure water throughout their winemaking process. The UV system effectively eliminates bacteria, viruses, yeasts, moulds, and chlorine-resistant protozoa without impacting the pH, color, taste, quality, flavor, or aroma of the wine. This installation has provided Brown Brothers with a reliable and environmentally friendly solution for water disinfection, contributing to their ongoing success in producing award-winning wines.

As brewing companies navigate the post-COVID era, maintaining high hygiene standards remains crucial. Full facility disinfection, with the use of advanced technologies such as UV disinfection, provides an effective solution for eliminating pathogens from the air, water, and surfaces within brewing facilities. By prioritizing hygiene and implementing comprehensive disinfection practices, brewing companies can create a safer environment, protect public health, and uphold their brand reputation in an increasingly demanding marketplace. Embracing full facility disinfection will not only benefit the health and safety of employees and customers but also contribute to the overall success and sustainability of brewing companies in the post-COVID era.

Ken Kershner is global commercial director of Nuvonic.