Peracetic Acid in the Food and Beverage Industry

Food safety is a highly concerning issue in the Food and Beverage Industry, the key enemy being microbial contamination.

The food and beverage industry is growing rapidly at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 9.5% and its market is expected to reach half a trillion U.S. dollars in the next 7 years. The modern food and beverage industry could not have been conceived without new and improved chemicals. At present, nearly all food production worldwide is accomplished totally or partially with the aid of chemical substances. Among them is peracetic acid, an organic compound having the chemical formula CH₃CO₃H. Chemical treatments using peracetic acid are the most effective technique for microbial contamination control. It is also known as peroxyacetic acid (CAS No. 79-21-0) and is used in a wide range of applications, including food additives, cleaning agents, technological aids, components of packaging materials, and sanitization. It acts as a strong oxidizing sanitizer by killing microbes, even at low concentrations, and is produced by combining acetic acid (CH₃COOH) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) over an acidic catalyst. Commercially, it is sold as a stabilized solution containing water, acetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide. For the food industry, it is sold in 1-5% concentrations and is diluted before use. The major driver of the peracetic acid market is its wide-scale application in the food and beverage industry. It initially gained popularity as an antimicrobial agent for the preservation of food and fully complies with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations.

Why use Peracetic Acid?

• Highly effective against fungus, bacteria, mold, and yeast.
• No disinfection byproducts are produced, thereby requiring no rinse after use.
• Acts spontaneously without any contribution to color, taste, or odor.
• Non-corrosive to aluminum and stainless steel.
• Environmentally friendly, effective, easy to use, and economical.
• Fully complies with the regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The food and beverage industry is likely to become the leading consumer of peracetic acid.

The market size of peracetic acid in 2020 was around USD 795 million and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.1% from 2021-2027. The primary commercial consumer of peracetic acid is the food and beverage industry, having the greatest market as compared to its other applications. In this industry alone, the market value of peracetic acid is expected to exceed USD 435 million by 2027.

Food Industry

Several uses of peracetic acid in the food industry include its applications as an antimicrobial, preservative, and sanitizing agent to reduce pathogens. It has been used in applications such as poultry, fish and seafood, red meat, fruits, and vegetable processing.

Beverage Industry

The beverage industry uses peracetic acid to disinfect and sanitize bottles, thereby reducing microbial contamination. It acts as a sanitizer in bottling plants and the brewing industry. It has also been applied in aseptic packaging that sterilizes both the bottle and container leading to a promoted shelf life with reduced shipping costs. In the dairy industry, milk packaging is sterilized with peracetic acid to limit the need for refrigeration.

Considering the broad spectrum of peracetic acid’s applications in the food and beverage industry, Lab Alley is offering premium quality peracetic acid to achieve the highest level of health and safety. Lab Alley’s products fully comply with the necessary regulations and permits put forth by the FDA. Reach us at laballey.com, if you are looking for a high-quality disinfectant at an economic price for your business.

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