Chlorine Dioxide
The Buying Network is pleased to offer Chlorine Dioxide technology from Bio-Cide International to the seafood industry in the Pacific Northwest.
What is Chlorine Dioxide?
Simply, chlorine dioxide is acidified sodium chlorite. By mixing a highly refined stabilized sodium chlorite solution with a food grade acid (activator), chlorine dioxide is formed. This result is a superior sanitizer that is safe in food processing, water and ice. It resist reduction in effectiveness from organic loads so it doesn't lose its power to do its job. It is about 7 times more effective in kill than regular chorine, however it breaks down into chlorite which is found in table salt and sea salt.
For use on Seafood to improve the shelf life and improve sensory properties like taste, color, odor and feel by controlling microorganisms, use our Stabilized Sodium Chlorite, Keeper® as a direct processing aid that is not reportable as an ingredient on the package label. This is the base product of chlorine dioxide which is referred to as non-activated. This is effective in stopping bacteria from reproducing, and as a deodorant, thus the seafood doesn't break down or spoil as quickly increasing shelf life. It doesn't affect the taste of the seafood, but must be rinsed if the product is to be consumed raw. Uses included fish holds, fish bins, totes, rinse stations, glaze water, brine water, processing water and ice. The poultry and red meat industry has been using it for years, however the seafood industry has been slower to wide-spread adoption.
Use as a cleaner / sanitizer for fish holds, tanks, totes or other area that holds seafood, it works differently than chlorine. Chlorine dioxide and stabilized sodium chlorite sanitizer like Oxine® have some surprising cleaning properties. Because the solution carries oxygen to the organic soil, the bio-film breaks down and the microscopic barrier that acts as a defense to chlorine or some alkaline products is removed. When the barrier is broken, the enzymatic properties attack the microorganisms between the barrier and the surface of the tank, thus removing this bio-film layer and killing the underlying bacteria that is holding onto the surface. You will find a clean and renewed surface that won't be harboring Listeria, E. coli and Salmonella. A tank cleaned and sanitized with sodium chlorite will stop cross contamination of microorganisms to your new catch. Chlorine Dioxide is not corrosive like other sanitizer which suits itself well for cleaning and sanitizing of sensitive equipment. Contact time for an effective kill is less than most other types of sanitizer, down to seconds from minutes further enhancing the effectiveness.
What is Keeper?
From the industry leader in chlorine dioxide technology for food processing applications comes Keeper - an FDA-approved seafood process operations additive.
Keeper® is a highly-refined 3.35% sodium chlorite solution, scientifically-proven to inhibit antimicrobial and enzymatic activity. Developed from Bio-Cide International's proprietary chlorine dioxide technology, the research-based additive controls a broad spectrum of microorganisms.
As a pioneering producer of specialty chlorine dioxide, Bio-Cide International has been a leader in technical advances and government regulatory approvals. As a result, Keeper's formulation is virtually an odorless, clear, stable solution, which can be stored, transported and used without special consideration.
On the boat, at the dock or in the processing plant, used properly - Keeper is non-corrosive, easy to use and most importantly - Safe, and does not require any special USDOT permits
Keeper® is tested and proven effective!
Tested extensively at the University of Florida's Food Science and Nutrition Department, Keeper's overwhelming success resulted in its approval by the FDA. Keeper's testing included a series of microbiological, quality improvement analysis, shelf-life extension, nutritional value outcomes, and organoleptic evaluations. In addition, Keeper's positive effects were proven on a wide variety of seafood products including Catfish, Salmon, Grouper, Shrimp and Scallops - using both whole fish and fillets.
What can I expect from using Keeper®?
Keeper will inhibit antimicrobial and enzymatic activity as well as eliminate odors without affecting nutritional quality. In addition, seafood products treated with Keeper have improved organoleptic qualities and extended shelf life. Adding Keeper to ice when transporting seafood will extend freshness.
How is Keeper® used?
Depending on conditions, Keeper® is used at concentrations of between 40 and 50 ppm. Because Keeper is shipped as Sodium Chlorite - simply activate the solution with a small amount of GRAS acid (generally recognized as safe) - preferably citric acid before applying. This activation produces chlorine dioxide, and nearly instantly produces a highly-effective antimicrobial and enzymatic inhibitor. Once activated, add Keeper to the processing operation - water, ice, and washing or rinsing water. Most importantly, add Keeper when transporting your seafood to extend freshness.
Regulatory
The use of sodium chlorite to control microorganisms in seafood process operations is published in the Code of Federal Regulations at 21 CFR 173.325. It should be noted that any seafood that is intended to be consumed raw will be subject to a potable water rinse prior to consumption.
What is Oxine®
Oxine is a highly refined blend of oxychloro species containing purified sodium chlorite. When activated, chlorine dioxide is produced, greatly enhancing Oxine’s antimicrobial activity. With applications in the food processing and water treatment industries, Oxine displays broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, proven effective against E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Aspergillus, Listeria, Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas, among others. This product is especially suited for the removal and subsequent control of biofilm. Oxine has a myriad of EPA, FDA and USDA approvals, Kosher certification, and organic certification in the state of Washington.