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Vikan.com

Safety

Filament Security Test

Filament fixation strength (measured in Newtons) was assessed using a filament pull test machine. Five filaments, each at a defined position within each Filament Security Unit were pull tested. The average, standard deviation and percentage ​variance of the results were calculated. Results: Average fixation strength assessed to be acceptable and with very little deviation.

Filament Security Test Filament fixation strength (measured in Newtons) was assessed using a filament pull test machine. Five filaments, each at a defined position within each Filament Security Unit were pull tested. The average, standard deviation and percentage ​variance of the results were calculated. Results: Average fixation strength assessed to be acceptable and with very little deviation.

Chemical Resistance Test

Test brushes were placed into five different industrial cleaning chemical solutions for 24 hours. Result: No visible change after chemical exposure

Chemical Resistance Test Test brushes were placed into five different industrial cleaning chemical solutions for 24 hours. Result: No visible change after chemical exposure

Strength Test

UST hand scrub brushes were subjected to load testing, at the point where the handle joined the brush head. Their strength was compared to equivalent resin hand scrub brushes. Result: The UST brushware were stronger than the resin brushes.

Strength Test UST hand scrub brushes were subjected to load testing, at the point where the handle joined the brush head. Their strength was compared to equivalent resin hand scrub brushes. Result: The UST brushware were stronger than the resin brushes.

Heat/Cold Shock Test

Test brushes were repeatedly placed into a domestic oven at 80°C and then removed and transferred immediately into a domestic freezer (approx. -18°C). Result: No visible change after repeated heating and cooling.

Heat/Cold Shock Test Test brushes were repeatedly placed into a domestic oven at 80°C and then removed and transferred immediately into a domestic freezer (approx. -18°C). Result: No visible change after repeated heating and cooling.

Autoclave Test

Test brushes were repeatedly ​autoclaved at 121°C for 20 minutes. Result: No visible change after​ autoclaving.

Autoclave Test Test brushes were repeatedly ​autoclaved at 121°C for 20 minutes. Result: No visible change after​ autoclaving.

Dishwasher Test

Test brushes were repeatedly ​processed in an industrial dishwasher, using a commercial detergent, at 93ºC. Result: Fine filaments (<0.3mm) in all drilled and stapled, resin set, drilled and stapled resins set, and UST brushware were bent by the force of the dishwasher water jets. This effect can be minimised through appropriate placement of the products in the dishwasher. All other UST products showed no visible change.

Dishwasher Test Test brushes were repeatedly ​processed in an industrial dishwasher, using a commercial detergent, at 93ºC. Result: Fine filaments (<0.3mm) in all drilled and stapled, resin set, drilled and stapled resins set, and UST brushware were bent by the force of the dishwasher water jets. This effect can be minimised through appropriate placement of the products in the dishwasher. All other UST products showed no visible change.

Durability Assessment

Test brushes were fitted to the Vikan robotic test rig and ‘used’ continually for 24 hours. The speed, pressure and movement of the brush were set to mimic those experienced by each brush type during use. Result: No visible change after repeated use.

Durability Assessment Test brushes were fitted to the Vikan robotic test rig and ‘used’ continually for 24 hours. The speed, pressure and movement of the brush were set to mimic those experienced by each brush type during use. Result: No visible change after repeated use.

Surface Finish Assessment

Conducted by Campden BRI, UK. The surface roughness (Ra) of a product is related to its cleanability. The Ra of UST brushware was evaluated using a surface profilometer, at various positions on the brush. For each, the stylus was dragged over a set sampling length. An Ra of less than of 0.8 μm (EHEDG guidance) is acceptable. Results: All measurements of Ra were less than 0.8 μm

Surface Finish Assessment Conducted by Campden BRI, UK. The surface roughness (Ra) of a product is related to its cleanability. The Ra of UST brushware was evaluated using a surface profilometer, at various positions on the brush. For each, the stylus was dragged over a set sampling length. An Ra of less than of 0.8 μm (EHEDG guidance) is acceptable. Results: All measurements of Ra were less than 0.8 μm

EU & FDA Compliance Assessments

EU and FDA food contact safety compliance assessments conducted by Eurofins, DK. For EU compliance assessments, the overall migration of ​chemicals, from triplicate UST brushware samples into 10% ethanol, 3% acetic acid and olive oil, was determined after total ​immersion (according to EN 1186-2 and EN 1186-3) in the simulants for 18 hours, at 40°C. Result: All UST brushware are fully compliant with EU and FDA regulations in regard to food contact safety.

EU & FDA Compliance Assessments EU and FDA food contact safety compliance assessments conducted by Eurofins, DK. For EU compliance assessments, the overall migration of ​chemicals, from triplicate UST brushware samples into 10% ethanol, 3% acetic acid and olive oil, was determined after total ​immersion (according to EN 1186-2 and EN 1186-3) in the simulants for 18 hours, at 40°C. Result: All UST brushware are fully compliant with EU and FDA regulations in regard to food contact safety.

Fully Moulded Assessment

Conducted by Campden BRI, UK. The internal structure of UST brushes was investigated for crevices using X-ray micro computed tomography (micro-CT). This is a non-destructive technique that allows the internal structure of objects to be imaged and measured. Result: No visible crevices were seen within or between any of the components of the UST brushware.

Fully Moulded Assessment Conducted by Campden BRI, UK. The internal structure of UST brushes was investigated for crevices using X-ray micro computed tomography (micro-CT). This is a non-destructive technique that allows the internal structure of objects to be imaged and measured. Result: No visible crevices were seen within or between any of the components of the UST brushware.

Functionality Assessment

Test brush functionality was visually assessed after cleaning laminate flooring prepared with appropriate soil types (both wet and dry cleaned) using the Vikan robotic rig. The speed, pressure and movement of the brush were set to mimic those experienced by each brush type during use. Result: All UST brushes functioned as well as if not better than their drilled and stapled equivalent.

Functionality Assessment Test brush functionality was visually assessed after cleaning laminate flooring prepared with appropriate soil types (both wet and dry cleaned) using the Vikan robotic rig. The speed, pressure and movement of the brush were set to mimic those experienced by each brush type during use. Result: All UST brushes functioned as well as if not better than their drilled and stapled equivalent.

Cleanability Assessment

Test brushes were smeared with UV reactive lotion, cleaned by ​vigorous dunking in and out of warm soapy water and then ​visually examined in a UV cabinet to assess the extent of any ​remaining ‘contamination’. UST brushware cleanability was ​compared to that of drilled and stapled; resin; drilled and stapled resin; and fused filament brushware. Result: UST brushes were more effectively cleaned than any of the other brushware samples.

Cleanability Assessment Test brushes were smeared with UV reactive lotion, cleaned by ​vigorous dunking in and out of warm soapy water and then ​visually examined in a UV cabinet to assess the extent of any ​remaining ‘contamination’. UST brushware cleanability was ​compared to that of drilled and stapled; resin; drilled and stapled resin; and fused filament brushware. Result: UST brushes were more effectively cleaned than any of the other brushware samples.

What does it mean?

  • Reduced risk of cross-contamination
    • From physical contamination, e.g. metal, resin, bristles
    • From biological contamination, e.g. from microbes, allergens
    • From chemical contamination, e.g. from cleaning chemicals

  •  Fully food contact compliant
    • All parts of the brush are food contact compliant
    • Meet EU and FDA standards and requirements
    • Comprehensively tested and all documentation is available

  • Fully colour coded
    • 8 colours available.
    • In compliance with most audit requirements,
      aids visual segregation of products used for different purposes.

What are the benefits to the end-user?

  • Minimised risk to your food business
    • Less product rejections, product recalls, and waste
    • Less associated costs
    • Brand/business protection
    • Greater peace of mind

  • Better ranking in audits
    • Compliance with food safety auditor and regulatory requirements

  • Many options for personalised solutions
    • Wide range of products
    • Fully colour coded - 8 options available

Difference Explained

 

Drilled & stapled

  FDA-compliant raw material

  Glass and Fork (EU 1935/2004)

  Declaration of Compliance
 
Regulation (EU 10/2011)

  Available on Vikan.com

Materials
Polyester, Polypropylene, Stainless Steel

 

Resin set, drilled & stapled

  FDA-compliant raw material

  Glass and Fork (EU 1935/2004)

  Declaration of Compliance
  
Regulation (EU 10/2011)*

*Some manufacturers do not provide appropriate DoCs

Materials
Polyester, Polypropylene, Stainless Steel, Epoxy Resin**

**Some products containing resin are not fully compliant with the EU regulations.

Please note, that Vikan does not supply this type of product.

 

UST

  FDA-compliant raw material

  Glass and Fork (EU 1935/2004)

  Declaration of Compliance
  
Regulation (EU 10/2011)
  Available on Vikan.com

Materials
Polyester, Glass reinforced polypropylene

  Download the article

”Are your Cleaning Tools Food Safe?”
Published in International Food Hygiene
Volume 26 Number 4 (2015)

Download Article