Advanced Ultra-Violet Systems has announced its medical-quality infection prevention technology is now available to the food processing and food service industries. The AUVS KR615 Germicidal Enclosure was developed specifically to address the issue of mobile devices that move freely around hospitals and are known agents of cross-contamination. The same issues exist in the food processing and food service industries where cell phones and small tablets frequently come in close contact with food and food processing equipment. According to studies more than 85% of cell phones carry significant contamination even after being cleaned with chemical wipes. Cell phones have even been described in Infection Prevention media as having contamination levels on par with toilets.

Wipes and other chemical-based methods used to clean phones and small tablets are ineffective and require excessive time and exact handling to achieve their advertised levels of disinfection. Also because of their harsh nature and often offensive odor, workers tend to avoid using them or do so sparingly. Even if these and other manual cleaning methods are used, their effectiveness is dependent upon the thoroughness of each individual worker.

The KR615’s Ultra-Violet technology is proven in independent lab results and demanding medical environments to sanitize 99.9% of C. diff, MRSA, noroviruses, E. coli and other bacteria in just 48 seconds.

Increasing the unit’s effectiveness is its ease-of-use that improves the likelihood it will be used regularly.

High-touch devices that move in and out of food handling facilities can be cleaned as often as necessary. Each item is simply placed inside the enclosure, the KR615’s door is closed and the press of a button begins a 48-second UV decontamination cycle.

128,000 Hospitalizations and 3,000 Deaths

According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 48-million foodborne illnesses occur in the US each year, leading to 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. And, according to an Ohio State University study, food safety represents a $55.5-billion problem in the US.

Recent contaminations and recalls have thrust the issue into the national spotlight and public consciousness.

Affordable, Proven Technology from Foremost Expert

The KR615–now commonly call “The UV Box” in medical circles–uses a patented, enhanced application of UV developed by AUVS Technology Director, Dr. Wayne Clark. One of America’s foremost experts on UV technology, Clark’s work includes technology developed for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to protect the Pentagon from biological containments.

The KR615 offers another vital benefit that moves it to the forefront in the war on food contamination: Affordability. At just $1,699 per unit with no consumables and no on-gong costs, the KR615 represents one of the most affordable UV devices available today. In fact, considering the cost in human suffering, dollars and damage to a company’s reputation for even a single contamination incident, The UV Box represents a remarkable value.

“The UV Box is effective, easy-to-use and affordable,” says AUVS CEO Jim Psihas. “And by putting this solution where the problem is—in spaces where food is processed, prepared and handled—and treating devices on an ongoing basis, we feel we can help the food processing and food service industries deal a major blow to foodborne contaminants and related illnesses.”

For further information visit: www.advancedUVSystems.com or call 716-525-2127.