Hygiene Monitoring and Cleaning Validation

Continuous monitoring of surface hygiene is a key component of HACCP programmes, KRINKO recommendations and quality and food safety standards such as IFS, BRCGS and FSSC 22000. Contamination on surfaces that come into contact with products can compromise product quality, endanger patient safety, and result in non-compliance with regulatory requirements.

UV handheld scanners help to identify organic and inorganic residues, as well as hygiene vulnerabilities, directly on site – quickly, non-destructively and without the need for sampling. This enables risks to be identified early, cleaning measures to be verified, and hygiene processes to be improved specifically.

Although conventional methods such as ATP tests, microbiological swabs and TOC analyses are reliable, they are also time-consuming and expensive. UV scanners enable rapid preliminary inspections of equipment, tools and surfaces.

This allows critical areas to be identified before time-consuming laboratory tests are conducted. This reduces the testing workload and facilitates the efficient clearance of equipment and production areas.

If contamination occurs repeatedly, it is crucial to identify the cause. UV scanners reveal hotspots and enable targeted sampling of areas of concern. This simplifies root cause analysis and facilitates the implementation of effective corrective action.

UV-based hygiene checks help assess the effectiveness of cleaning measures, reduce hygiene risks, and increase staff awareness of critical areas. Visual inspection improves transparency and supports the ongoing enhancement of cleaning procedures.

• Hygiene checks can be carried out more quickly on site.
• Support for HACCP and hygiene programmes.
• Assistance with audits in accordance with IFS, BRCGS and FSSC 22000.
• Contamination hotspots are targeted for identification.
• Sampling and laboratory work are kept to a minimum.
• Cleaning and disinfection processes are optimised.

• Production plants, reactors, mixers and dryers.
• Conveyor belts, hoses, and pipework systems.
• Pharmaceutical equipment and sample extraction chambers.
• Food processing tools, such as knives and saws.
• Cold stores, refrigerators and storage areas.
• Commercial kitchens, catering facilities and sanitary installations.