topics      Bacterial Resistance & Sanitizers       Sanitizer Temperature       Sanitizer Test Procedures      Who is the NSF?      What is Sanitizing?           What does sanitizing mean? All food contact surfaces must be washed, rinsed, and sanitized.  Sanitizers reduce the microbial population to a safe level by reducing the number of microbes by 99.999%. back to top        What is the proper procedure for testing sanitizer’s PPM? Take a small representative sample of sanitizing solution (8 ounces) in a container and allow this sample to cool to room temperature.  Immerse the QT-10 test paper in the sample for 10 seconds.  Remove the test paper from the sample and immediately compare it to the color coded chart included with the test papers.  The test paper must read 200 ppm. back to top        What is the correct temperature for sanitizing? For sanitizing, FDA specifies the sanitizer solution temperature must be at least 75°F.  The maximum temperature for safe prolonged bare hand contact is 120°F.  If protective gloves are used, the temperature should not exceed 140°F. back to top        Is it necessary to rotate from quat sanitizers, chlorine and other types of sanitizers from time to time due to bacteria developing resistance? There is no scientific literature to support this conclusion.  This has generally been stated by the scientific community and more recently by the EPA in recent proposed rule on antimicrobial sanitizers and disinfectants.    An antibiotic is designed to enter the living host and target a specific cell keying on a particular site.  The antibiotic’s mode of action is to target the disease organisms while not affecting the normal cells.  It’s very selective in its activity.  Disinfectants like quaternary ammonium chlorides are non-specific in their attack.  They attach to anything anionic or negatively charged such as the bacterial protein, which surrounds the bacteria.  The quat by surrounding the bacteria disrupts the charges on the cell wall and the cell is killed.  Because of this mode of action, antimicrobial resistance is improbable. back to top        Who is the NSF? NSF International, previously known as the National Sanitation Foundation, helps to protect you by certifying products and writing standards for food, water, air and consumer goods. back to top