Should you rotate sanitizers?
In discussing which sanitizers are best, the subjects of pathogen resistance and the need to rotate sanitizers often come up. Suggesting that sanitizer rotation is not necessary is often met with some level of push-back or incredulity.
This subject is not only relevant to optimizing one’s sanitation program, but it is also a good example of why we should always exercise a healthy dose of skepticism and test our assumptions.
As a starting point, it is certainly reasonable to think that sanitizer rotation should be a consideration, but what does the evidence say? The best evidence we have so far indicates that the level of sanitizer resistance tolerance exhibited by pathogens of greatest concern, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli, and Salmonella, does not warrant sanitizer rotation when products are used at manufacturer-recommended concentrations (MRCs).
If you disagree, it would be great to hear from you. Don’t forget to bring your evidence. 😉
Probing antimicrobial resistance and sanitizer tolerance themes and their implications for the food industry through the Listeria monocytogenes lens
Bland, R., Brown, S. R. B., Waite-Cusic, J., & Kovacevic, J. (2022). Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf, 21, 1777–1802.
Sanitizer rotation is a practice where sanitizers with different active ingredients are cycled in and out of use on a predetermined schedule, with the underlying intention of reducing the likelihood of the facility microbiome developing AMR. The practice of sanitizer rotation is frequently proposed by a number of book chapters, articles, publications, and guidance documents, but its necessity is debated (Bodnaruk, 2011; Cutter, 2003; FDA, 2017; Marriott et al., 2018; Møretrø et al., 2017; Tompkin et al., 1999; USDA FSIS, 2015). The underlying rationale behind sanitizer rotation is based on antibiotic resistance research, specifically the potential mutability and acquisition of genetic elements to support tolerance/resistance and/or the ability to modify gene expression under selective pressures by altering cell wall and membrane permeability or by increasing the expression of efflux pumps (Noll et al., 2020).
The practice of sanitizer rotation is also mentioned in both FDA's draft guidance for the control of L. monocytogenes in RTE foods (FDA, 2017) and FSIS best practices guidance for controlling L. monocytogenes in retail delicatessens (USDA FSIS, 2015). Both of these documents state that rotating sanitizers will provide greater effectiveness in the long term and prevent the establishment of L. monocytogenes in the processing environment (FDA, 2017; USDA FSIS, 2015). However, the references provided to support these statements are either guidelines or extension articles that share observations of common industry practices (Cutter, 2003; Tompkin et al., 1999), without scientific data.
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