? at what concentration is quat toxic to food service personnel?

[Janelle Asai]

In the food service setting of a nursing home or senior retirement setting, quat is used in the sanitizing solution buckets to store wiping cloths.  We have found that the concentration can be lower than our goal of 200 ppm once we have started using the solution.  

So.. we want to increase the start point of the ppm.  At concentration does it become toxic for food service personnel?

Thank you.

Janelle L. Asai, RD

[Cherayil, Sebastian M.]

Janelle,

 

MN guidelines for food establishments for safe sanitizing with quaternary ammonium compounds are between 200-400ppm.  So I assume the maximum level allowed is 400 ppm above which it may leave toxic residues. I know the Food Code states that chemical sanitizers applied to food contact surfaces shall meet the requirements specified in Code of Federal Regulations, title 21, section 178.1010

 

 

Sebastian Cherayil, MS, R.E.H.S

Code Compliance Officer II

Environmental Health & Food Safety

City of Minneapolis

250 S 4th St # 414

Minneapolis,MN 55415

 

PHONE 612-673-3541

FAX       612-673-2635

 

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[Halbach, ODonna]

I believe if the cocentration ss over 200 ppm it must be rinsed off.

 

Donna Halbach

Quality Assurance Mgr.

Brakebush Bros., Inc.

N4993 6th Drive

Westfield, WI  53964

(608) 296-2121, ext. 1232

ohal...@brakebush.com

 

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[David M Troutman]

Not all quats are created equal. Some of the newer products are approved between 150 and 400ppm without a rinse.

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[Tom Johnson]

Janelle,

Toxicity is related to dose and to the dose tolerance of affected persons.

The 200PPM is an regulatory upper limit for Quats (40 CFR 180.940/FDA Food Code ‘09: sec 7-204.11) , the lower limit is 50PPM (FDA Food Code ‘09; sec 4-501.114)and it presumes that the dilutant water hardness is less than 500PPM total hardness (...(C) 3.)  Do you know the water hardness for the location where you have this issue?  It is in the code because water hardness has an adverse affect on quats efficacy.  Because of that, you need to demonstrate knowledge as to the water hardness at the referenced facility.

If you increase contact time (CT) as the verified concentration drops, you will offset the drop and hold constant efficacy.  

You cannot go above the 200PPM or you will be “off label” and if a party or parties complains of adverse health affects associated with your off label, they may be able to pursue negligence damages.

One more thing...

Do not use woven towels with quats; they inactivate it.  Use non-woven materials, whether single or multi use.  One brand offering such a product is Chicopee (I’ve seen their data), and there are likely now other alternatives too.

You should check sanitizer concentrations AFTER you first wet the towel.  If its below 200PPM, refresh it until it is at 200PPM and the towel is in it.

Thomas Johnson

On 10/6/10 11:15 AM, "Janelle Asai" <jla...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Tom Johnson]

Hi Cheryl and list,

Minnesota’s current food rule (MR4626) references the 1995 FDA Food Code.  

Many things have change in the ensuing 15 years.

Roughly (5) years ago the FDA Food Code reference to 21 CFR 178.1010 was changed to 40 CFR 180.940 .   

So far as concentration requirements, it depends upon intended use.

The 400PPM concentration you reference is not pursuant to the (2009) FDA Food Code (sec 7-204.11 and/or 4-501.114), but rather to the manufacturers label claims for efficacy with certain viruses (eg., NoV).  

The 400PPM concentration then is a concentration to be used as a general use germicidal disinfectant, not a food contact surface sanitizer.

To be clear, it is NOT appropriate to use a 400PPM quats concentration unless or until the code is revised to enable this double concentration, and the manufacturers label is modified to indicate its appropriate use as a food contact surface sanitizer.  As per my previous post, the water hardness cannot exceed 500mg/l (e.g., PPM) total hardness (4-501.114 (c) 3).

Finally, read the label to know when a potable water rinse is required after application and the recommended length of time between its application and any required rinse.

Thomas Johnson

On 10/6/10 12:00 PM, "Cherayil, Sebastian M." <Sebastian...@ci.minneapolis.mn.us> wrote:

Janelle,
 
MN guidelines for food establishments for safe sanitizing with quaternary ammonium compounds are between 200-400ppm.  So I assume the maximum level allowed is 400 ppm above which it may leave toxic residues. I know the Food Code states that chemical sanitizers applied to food contact surfaces shall meet the requirements specified in Code of Federal Regulations, title 21, section 178.1010
 
 

Sebastian Cherayil, MS, R.E.H.S
Code Compliance Officer II
Environmental Health & Food Safety
City of Minneapolis
250 S 4th St # 414
Minneapolis,MN 55415

PHONE 612-673-3541
FAX      612-673-2635

From: foodsa...@googlegroups.com [mailto:foodsa...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Janelle Asai
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 11:02 AM
To: Foodsa...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [Foodsafe] ? at what concentration is quat toxic to food service personnel?

In the food service setting of a nursing home or senior retirement setting, quat is used in the sanitizing solution buckets to store wiping cloths.  We have found that the concentration can be lower than our goal of 200 ppm once we have started using the solution.  

[Roy Costa]

Good answer Tom, there is some evidence for allergenicity with quats also, newer formularies now give you and acceptable range from 150-400 ppm on food contact surfaces. Used to be 200 ppm was the number no lower and no higher this caused unneeded violations. Here in Fl we do not see hardness in a municpal supply aboove around 100 ppm, because the water plants will soften the water, however  the Floridan aquifer, due to limestone formations will have levels about, this high, its something to think about if you have well water.
 
Also most of the EPA list for approved quats for NoV are pH altered to get into a high alkaline range where quats are more effective


Roy E Costa, R.S., M.S./M.B.A. Public Health Sanitarian Consultant Environ Health Associates, Inc 1.386.734.5187 www.haccptraining.org www.safefoods.tv rco...@cfl.rr.com


 

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Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2010 13:33:13 -0500
Subject: Re: [Foodsafe] ? at what concentration is quat toxic to food service personnel?
From: to...@jdpinc.com
To: Sebastian...@ci.minneapolis.mn.us; jla...@gmail.com; foodsa...@googlegroups.com

[George DeMirjian]

Most multi-quats like Ecolab Oasis 146 have an effective range of 200-400 with the average water supply. Over that I believe it is considered a food adulterate.

 

Follow local codes and the product directions for application. If not sure call the local authority for clarification on code.

 

Regards,

George

George DeMirjian RS, CFSP
QA Manager/Food Safety Sanitarian
609-560-2950

[George DeMirjian]

Oops, adulterate is a non food at any level. I believe you are correct that it is technically considered toxic. Be safe.

Thank you,
George DeMirjian

[Christopher Wolford]

I know this is 8 years old, but I can not find any info on the matter of woven vs non woven towels "Do not use woven towels with quats; they inactivate it.  Use non-woven materials, whether single or multi use. " would you be willing to give me some sources on this. Thank you very much for your time.