UV-TOP: UV Treatment Of Powders

A huge volume of powders are processed within the food industry in the UK. They are vulnerable to biological contamination and this proposed project will allow mitigation of that risk and therefore reduce outbreaks of food related illness and expensive recalls.

Jenton International Ltd (Jenton) is a UK-based family-run SME that is pioneering the next non-thermal powder decontamination technology. Over the last 5 years, 7 major outbreaks of foodborne disease have affected the UK and EU, sadly, including some fatalities. The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) for seeds and spice show that majority (26%) of border restrictions have been due to harmful bacteria such as _Salmonella_, Cronobacter and _E.coli_. Last year the US ran short of infant formulae due to a potential harmful organism causing shipment of baby food from Europe to the US.

Jenton is a specialist in UV decontamination and will develop a powder decontamination system to keep consumers and infants safe from these harmful pathogens. Reduction in germs will also help to reduce food waste due to product recalls and extend product shelf-life. By using a non-thermal technology, this research will help the UK to reach its goal of net-zero carbon target by 2050\.

The project will also help Jenton to expand their export sales and enable the development of a UK-based solution for which there are currently only international competitors.

To enable this step change in technology Jenton has partnered with Campden BRI, a specialist in applied research in the food and drink industry.