Technical support on the application of < 82°C water for knife and equipment sterilisation

Summary

​For many decades it has been the practice in abbatoirs for operators to clean their knives between carcases, and when necessary, by dipping them in baths - "sterilisers" - containing water no cooler than 82ºC.
In 2003 MLA commissioned Food Science Australia to investigate firstly, whether there was any scientific basis for 82ºC and secondly, whether alternative cleaning procedures were possible using water coller than 82ºC.
After an exhaustive literature review the researchers were unable to find any scientific evidence for the selection of 82ºC.
They also demonstrated that temperatures cooler than 82ºC could be used providing knives were immersed for longer than the momentary dip currently used.

In 2004 MLA worked with M.C.Herd Pty Ltd of Geelong to validate an alternative system based on operators using two knives which were immersed in a water bath at 60ºC for a longer immersion time. At M.C.Herd Pty Ltd the alternative system gaves a hygenic outcome at least the equivalent to that of 82ºC and there are cost savings due to:reduced energy use at 60ºCreduced impact of injuries at 60ºC