Innovative Hurdle Strategies for Control on Food-Contact Surfaces: A Peroxyacetic Acid-Steam Approach.

The persistence of biofilms on equipment surfaces poses a significant risk of cross-contamination, necessitating effective surface decontamination strategies. This study assessed the effectiveness of hurdle treatments combining peroxyacetic acid (PAA) and saturated steam against 7-day-old (a non-pathogenic surrogate for ) biofilms on stainless steel (SS), polyester (PET), and rubber surfaces. Results demonstrated >6 log CFU/coupon reductions on SS and PET surfaces after PAA (40 ppm, 1 min) followed by steam treatment (100 °C, 6 s). On rubber surfaces, PAA (80 ppm, 1 min) followed by steam treatment (100 °C, 6 s) resulted in ~5 log CFU/coupon reduction. The presence of apple juice soil reduced the efficacy of hurdle treatments, with PAA (40 ppm, 1 min) and steam exposure (6 s) resulting in 5.6, 5.8, and 4.2 log CFU/coupon reductions of on SS, PET, and rubber, respectively. The efficacy of this antimicrobial combination was further reduced by surface defects, especially in the presence of organic matter. Nevertheless, the treatment still achieved >5 log CFU/coupon reductions of on worn SS and PET soiled with apple juice and ~4.5 log CFU/coupon reduction on worn, soiled rubber surfaces. These findings highlight that PAA treatments followed by a brief steam exposure are effective strategies for controlling on food-contact surfaces.