Contact person
Christina Wedin
Coordinator
Contact ChristinaMicroorganisms in liquids, paper, and cardboard can cause staining and contamination, impacting both the production process and the final product. In food-related manufacturing, it is particularly important to monitor and control this to ensure high standards of quality and hygiene.
In the manufacturing of paper and cardboard intended for food contact, it is crucial to carefully monitor the bacterial content of the final product. High bacterial levels can not only impact food safety but also cause issues in the production process. Bacteria can contribute to operational disruptions by forming biofilms in pipelines and on machine components, leading to production downtime and increased maintenance costs. Moreover, microbial growth can result in discoloration or odors in the finished material, which in turn may lead to customer complaints and quality deviations.
To control bacterial levels, standardized testing methods are used to provide an indication of the microbial load in the paper or packaging. While these methods do not always give a complete picture of the specific microorganisms present, they serve as essential tools for ensuring compliance with hygiene standards. Regular monitoring and proper maintenance of production equipment are also crucial measures to minimize the risk of bacterial contamination and to ensure that paper and cardboard products are safe for food contact.
The methods Scan-C 60:02 P, Scan-P81:02 do not say everything, we know e.g. not which ones grow, but the method is standardized and works well as a control to use even in mills.
RISE offers a report that includes data in Excel format and relevant images and diagrams. It is carefully compiled using standard methods for the conducted analyses. The report also includes an assessment of measurement uncertainty to ensure the reliability of the presented results.