UV Sterilization for Commercial Kitchens

 

Restaurants have a responsibility to their patrons to serve healthy food, free from foodborne diseases that have the potential to cause illness.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 127,000 people are hospitalized every year with an illness caused by contaminated food and nearly 3,037 people die each year from a foodborne illness.  Ultraviolet (UV) light sterilization systems provide a solution to help restaurants provide safe and healthy food.

UV sterilization systems also help a restaurant maintain a cleaner facility to comply with food safety regulations and health department inspections.  UV air purification systems also help any facility to maintain a healthier eating area by disinfecting the air in public spaces.  UV air sterilization systems are proven to remove harmful airborne pathogens to reduce the risk of contracting an airborne illness. 

Food Irradiation with UV Germicidal Lamps

Food irradiation is the term used to describe UV germicidal lamps used to preserve food with ultraviolet radiation.  Food irradiation is proven to prevent infection from bacteria and preserve food without any adverse health risks.  UV light is proven to prevent foodborne illnesses such as E. Coli and Salmonella and also preserves food by preventing early sprouting of potatoes or culmination of foodborne insects. 

Restaurants can protect their food by using UV lights above food preparation areas and countertops as well as over food buffets or serving areas. UV radiation emitted at the optimal wavelength, 254 nanometer (nm), alters the DNA of harmful pathogens including bacteria and viruses, and is effective in food irradiation and also on surface sterilization applications. 

UV Air Sterilization

UV lamps are incorporated in HVAC systems to prevent the growth of mold and mildew on cooling coils and may also be aimed to reduce airborne pathogens circulating through the ventilation system.  UV air purification systems may also incorporate ozone lamps to remove foul odor from the air.  UV kitchen exhaust systems over commercial kitchen hoods can even prevent the build up of grease by oxidizing oil fumes into carbon dioxide and water molecules to be removed by kitchen exhaust. 

UV sterilization systems in commercial kitchens provide many benefits such as:  

• Eliminates a fire hazard when used in kitchen exhaust systems by removing the threat of grease build up in the pipeline
• Improves the safety of food with food irradiation
• Eliminates bacteria and viruses on surfaces such as countertops 
• Maintains a cleaner food storage and preparation area
• Prevents mold and mildew in moist spaces such as a walk-in freezer
• UV air sterilization improves the comfort and safety of indoor diners 

UVC germicidal lamps provide these benefits and more with a low-maintenance, highly effective sterilization system.  UV sterilization systems provide solutions to restaurants and commercial kitchens with safe and effective air and surface disinfection.

LightSources is an industry leading supplier of UV lamps used in a multitude of applications, including high-tech, high-performance UVC germicidal lamps.  We support OEMs and manufacturers of UV sterilization systems with high quality lamps engineered with proprietary technology and first-to-market proven germicidal solutions.  Contact us to speak with an engineer about our wide selection of germicidal lamps or custom designed solutions to meet your germicidal needs.