In wash and rinse lines, soil, plant residues, and biofilms detach and are released into the water.
Hygiene with UVC
- Continuous UVC disinfection of conveyor belts and roller conveyors
- UVC for direct product disinfection
- Hygienic washing water for fruit and vegetables
- Less cross-contamination and fewer complaints
- Ideal for fruit and vegetable processors, packers, and fresh-cut companies
Chemical-free UVC disinfection for conveyor belts, roller conveyors, and washing water –
for safe fresh products in processing and packaging
Hygiene with UVC where fruit and vegetables come into contact
In fruit and vegetable production, two areas are crucial for product safety:
- Contact surfaces such as conveyor belts, roller conveyors, and transfer points.
- Washing and process water in which products are cleaned, transported, or cooled.
This is where cross-contamination occurs – and this is exactly where Peschl Ultraviolet’s UVC solutions come in. With steriBELT® for surface disinfection and UVC systems for water disinfection, you can secure the critical points in your production line.
UVC Disinfection during ongoing operation:
Belts, roller conveyors, and direct product disinfection
steriBELT® 2.0 is a compact, high-performance module for UVC surface disinfection – ideal for:
- Roller conveyors in raw material receiving areas for direct product disinfection
- Sorting and inspection belts
- Transfers before washing or cutting systems
- Belts before packaging
The modules are placed directly above or below the belt. While the belt is running, the surface is continuously irradiated with UVC light. This keeps the germ count on the product contact surface permanently low without interrupting the production flow.
Customer Testimonials
Renowned German fruit and vegetable packaging company
“In our vegetable processing plant, we use the steriBELT system from Peschl Ultraviolet to sterilize carrots during the cleaning process on the roller conveyor. Continuous UVC sterilization significantly reduces the bacterial load, which leads to less cross-contamination on the product.”
Hygienisches Waschwasser:
UVC-Entkeimung für Gemüsewäsche & Prozesswasser
Washed fruit and vegetables are only as clean as the water they are washed in. Without targeted water disinfection, germs can be transferred from one product to the next product batch, biofilms can be formed in tanks, gutters, and pipes, or germ levels in the cycle can continuously increase.
UVC water disinfection keeps the wash water hygienically stable – without the use of chemicals.
Possible solutions:
- UVC immersion tubes for washbasins and sinks
- UVC modules for process water tanks and return lines
- Systems for disinfecting spray and shower water
- UV reactors for disinfecting process water
Your advantages
- Constant reduction of the germ count in the washing water
- No chemicals enter the product
- Longer service life of the water
- Less biofilm formation in containers and pipes
Typical application areas in fruit and vegetable processing and packaging
The germ load is particularly critical here:
Raw material intake & earth-grown vegetable products
Carrots, potatoes, celery, and root vegetables in particular have a high initial germ load.
UVC modules on roller conveyors and feed belts:
- reduce germs on rollers
- minimize carryover to downstream process steps
- support hygiene even before washing
Sorting, trimming and inspection belts
During sorting, destemming, trimming, or manual inspection, products lie exposed on the belt. steriBELT®:
- sterilizes the belt surface during transport
- ensures a consistently low germ level throughout the entire shift
- reduces cross-contamination between good and rejected goods
Washing vegetables, Wash- & rinse lines
UVC water disinfection:
- keeps the water hygienic despite recirculation
- reduces the risk of washing water becoming a hygiene hazard
- reduces the need for chemicals and heat
Cutting, peeling, fresh-cut
Cut products (e.g., carrot sticks, salad mixes, bell pepper strips) are particularly sensitive.
UVC disinfection on:
- Conveyor belts
- Transfer points
- Buffer belts before packaging
helps to reduce the germ load to a minimum and supports longer shelf life.
Before packaging (tray, bowl, bag)
It’s worth adding a final “hygiene barrier” just before packaging:
- UVC modules on the final conveyor belts
- Optional high-performance UVC cassette for sterilizing packaging materials or tunnel systems such as steriGATE® for crates, packaging materials, and reusable containers
This reduces the amount of germs entering the packaging – a benefit for shelf life and product safety.
Water tanks
There is a risk of germs forming in water tanks. UVC disinfection ensures a continuous reduction in germ levels. Permanent mixing in the tank ensures consistent irradiation and maximum disinfection performance.
Advantages of UVC tank disinfection with steriCON:
- Shielded housing to protect against material aging
- Permanent mixing
- No transfer of germs to the product
Advantages of UVC
for fruit and vegetable processing facilities
More product safety & longer shelf life
- Reduced total bacterial count on contact surfaces and in water
- Less spoilage and fewer complaints
Sustainable, chemical-free hygiene solution
- No residues on the product
- No impact on taste, smell, or color
- Reduced use of cleaning chemicals and disinfectants
Process reliability & audit compliance
- Supports HACCP and IFS concepts
- Verifiable germ reduction at defined critical control points (CCPs)
- Documentable hygiene measures for audits and customer requirements
Cost-effectiveness in everyday use
- Shorter or longer cleaning intervals (depending on the concept)
- Reduced downtime
- Protection of product quality and brand image
Getting started with UVC
The first steps to integration
Brief assessment
You tell us your product types, line ranges, and challenges (e.g., high germ counts, complaints, best-before date issues).
Hygiene concept
with UVC
We identify suitable installation points for UVC modules on conveyor belts, roller conveyors, and in washing water systems.
Design & Implementation
We select suitable modules, calculate the necessary dose and support you right through to commissioning.
Regular inspections
To ensure that your modules are up to date in terms of technology and hygiene, we are happy to inspect them for you. At the same time, we support you with a structured check before the audit, during which all relevant aspects are examined.
Contact us now without obligation!
Do you have any questions on the subject? Our hygiene team will be happy to answer any questions you may have about our products and UVC disinfection and will provide you with competent advice on air, water and surface disinfection. Contact us for a non-binding consultation!
