AOAC 960.09

Germicidal and Detergent Sanitizing Action of Disinfectants – Food Contact Sanitizer

Summary

The Germicidal and Detergent Sanitizing Action of Disinfectants test is designed to establish label claims for a substance used for sanitizing precleaned, nonporous food contact surfaces with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The most common challenge microorganisms used in the Food Contact Sanitizer are Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

Test Overview

• One replicate per lot is evaluated using two lots of a single test substance at one concentration and one contact time. The test substances are transferred to flasks and held at 25°C in a water bath.
• 1.0 mL of challenge microorganism culture is added to the flask containing 99 mL of prepared test substance.
• After the contact time, a sample of the bacterium-test substance mixture is neutralized, diluted, cultured, and enumerated. 
• All appropriate controls are run concurrently with the test sample.

According to the EPA, the substance passes the test if the test substance reduces the number of microbes at least 99.999% (≥ 5-Log₁₀) within 30 seconds and the controls meet the stipulated criteria.