Hygienico, a Hampshire-based company, founded by a team of scientific and engineering professionals, is entering into the final stage of the Government-sponsored clinical trial of HygienICE™ CIM, a novel commercial ice making machine sanitiser. The device uses innovative ozone generating technology developed over the last five years by Ozone Industries of Andover in close co-operation with ZERO2FIVE food industry experts from Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Ozone (O₃) is commonly used in the catering, hospitality and healthcare to sanitise air and water, liquid containers and working surfaces, but most ozone generators still rely on the use of UV or electrolysis. Both methods are criticised for high energy consumption, limited and hard to vary output (ozone’s life is also very short), excessive maintenance needs, expensive equipment, safety concerns (generating volatile by-products like hydrogen gas) and operational cleaning complexity.
HygienICE™ Technology (HIT)[1] is based on the corona discharge method, an alternative way of generating ozone. The new compact and easy to install CIM sanitiser requires constant power of just 14 Watts and uses lower cost bespoke equipment with variable flow rate. It offers higher and better controlled output, longer lifespan, lower maintenance costs, and overall – higher ice making efficiency.
In practical terms, this means cost-time-energy-efficient operation with calibrated optimal ozone produced, less need to clean the machine (just one annual deep clean), safer environment and less exposure to public liability.
Hygienico’s CEO and one of the inventors, Martyn Jutsum, sees HygienICE™ CIM as a device likely to revolutionise the catering and hospitality industry and re-write its standards of hygiene: “Ice machines are commonly used in catering and hospitality, but HygienICE™ is capable of producing pure, hygienic, ice, while ensuring clean and safe components, surfaces and working environment.
“Almost 40% of the public liability cases in the UK insurance claims come from the catering and hospitality industry, and hygiene is the second most complained about issue with serious legal consequences. Having spoken to many catering business professionals who complain about the issues raised by local environmental officers about the hygiene of their ice machines, maintenance of which is complex, time-consuming and expensive, we believe that HygienICE™ is a real game-changer, helping businesses to improve ice hygiene, saving money on maintenance and operational costs.”
Presently, Hygienico is selecting members of the food and drink sector who volunteer for free participation in the final stage of this Government-backed clinical trial before the product will become widely available. The company needs to identify up to 18 venues ready to operate the new device (which they will receive for free and would be allowed to keep) along with around 9 other businesses, for comparison, using conventional ice makers and cleaning routines.
Pubs, bars, clubs, hotels, hospitals and schools located in Cardiff or nearby will be selected for the trial, giving the owners an opportunity to experience technology of the future, and leave their own mark in the history of catering.
