Tougher food safety and hygiene regulations have put the onus on processors to ensure the safety of their products. Recalls and a loss of consumer confidence due to contaminated products on the market can be costly for food processers .

Steril-Aire claims its Remedial In-Room Decontamination System (RIDS), provides a safe and effective way to decontaminate surfaces infested with

moulds, such as Stachybotrys and Aspergillus, viruses and bacteria.

The mobile unit uses high output Ultra-Violet C energy, a wavelength used in ultraviolet sterilisers to kill harmful bacteria. This wavelength is extremely dangerous and can damage human DNA.

The mobile unit decontaminates a 12 x 12 ft (about 3.7 metres by 3.7 metres) area in about 24 hours, the company claimed in a press release.

"The user wheels the RIDS unit into the infested area, leaves the room and turns on the unit remotely, allowing the energy from the high output UVC

emitters to decontaminate walls, tabletops and other surfaces."

Multiple RIDS units may be used to treat larger areas, the comany said.

The technology uses no chemicals, produces no ozone or other toxic contaminants, and minimizes worker exposure during the decontamination process, Steril-Aire said.