News

Sanitation Monique Day Sanitation Monique Day

Sanitation Products Used in the Food Industry

Sanitizing seems straightforward within the food industry: sanitize surfaces to keep them safe. But what is the definition of “sanitized”? What is considered “safe”? Sanitation chemical supplier Bell Chem wants to shed light on these very important questions to allow our customers the safest route to protect themselves and their customers.

What Most People Know

COVID-19 has caused the majority of people to understand the difference between “washing” and “sanitizing,” especially as these terms relate to hands. Can sanitizing only occur with alcohol in a bottle, though? No. A surface is sanitized when cleaning kills 99% of microbial life considered harmful, the product remains stable under normal conditions, is not considered toxic, and can be used on food and the surfaces food comes into contact with. 

Differences Between Sanitizers

Surprisingly, hand sanitizers and surface sanitizers have different base ingredients: hand sanitizers are primarily alcohol based, and non-alcohol hand sanitizers contain chlorine. Surface sanitizers, however, contain chlorine, quaternary ammonium, or iodine as their primary sanitizing ingredient. 

 

Types of Surface Sanitizers

Chlorine

The most recognizable surface sanitizer is chlorine because of its effectiveness in breaking down microbial membranes, oxidizing proteins, and disturbing the metabolic processes of organisms. Chlorine has the added benefit of being inexpensive. Examples include chlorine dioxide and hypochlorides.

Quaternary Ammonium

Quaternary ammonium compounds are positively charged ions in the form of a surfactant, which naturally finds negatively-charged proteins — such as those in bacteria, viruses, yeasts, mold or other enveloped microbes — and denatures proteins as it breaks the electron transport chain in cellular respiration. Quaternary ammonium compounds are stable, much friendlier to skin than chlorine, and non-corrosive.

Iodine

Iodine converts to iodide in the presence of bacteria or other microbes. In this form, it denatures proteins and disrupts the transport of electrons responsible for cellular respiration, much like quaternary ammonium compounds. Iodine is very effective, but it may stain plastic surfaces and is more expensive than other sanitizers.

How to Choose a Sanitizer

The type of sanitizer you choose will be based on information more than simply price, though. The amount of time the product is in contact with the surface, whether the sanitizer contains cleaners and detergents, the shape of the surface, the concentration of the sanitizer, and the overall temperature of the cleaner or surface all have to be considered. Contact the knowledgeable staff at Bell Chem to discuss the best sanitizer option for your organization. 

Bell Chem is a sanitation chemical supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including CSANTM sanitation products. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.


Read More
Malic Acid Monique Day Malic Acid Monique Day

Benefits of Using Malic Acid in Food Production

Bite into a tart apple, and the flavor you perceive is most likely malic acid. As a matter of fact, chemist Antoine Lavoisier named this product acide malique — malique being the French derivation of Latin’s “malum” (apple) — because of its similarity to a sour apple flavor. This organic, dicarboxylic acid with molecular formula C4H6O5 is created by all living organisms and presents as a white, crystalline grain or powder when processed. 

Advantages Over Other Acids

Bell Chem, your industrial chemical supplier, stocks malic acid as an ingredient in foods and beverages, where it is renowned not only for its lingering sour or tart flavor, but also as an acid, a pH controller, and a preservative. When compared to other organic acids, malic acid proves to have myriad advantages. Here are a few:

  • The melting point is lower to incorporate high-temperature confections, which defers the addition of water. In many foods, excess water increases the moisture level, leading to a contracted shelf life.  

  • The sour tanginess increases at lower pH levels. Acidic foods with malic acid will have a more pungent tang. 

  • It dissolves more rapidly, making it highly prized in powdered mixes. 

  • The solubility of products containing malic acid increases. 

  • Colors in foods and beverages are more uniform when malic acid is an ingredient. 

  • Metal ions easily chelate with malic acid, removing them from foods and beverages.

Taste Advantages

Much like salt, malic acid intensifies flavor, which manufacturers find advantageous since it means fewer flavorings are necessary. This also leads to its addition to low-calorie products since less sugar is necessary for the same taste. Malic acid also melds different flavors within one product to create a more rounded taste experience; this leads to its inclusion into savory products such as spicy foods, cheeses, and coatings for snack crackers and chips. While some confections or salty snacks leave an overly memorable aftertaste, malic acid masks that flavor for a more pleasant experience.

Working with Other Acids

In sour candies and gums, many acids work together to increase the longevity of flavor. Initially, citric acid is enjoyed as a sour flavor before malic acid makes its appearance to continue where citric acid ended. Finally, fumaric acid sustains the tart flavor. Blending multiple acids known for their tart flavors allows for a pleasant, long-lasting taste experience.

Foods that Contain Malic Acid

Malic acid abounds in a wide variety of foods and beverages, including carbonated beverages, canned and fresh fruits and vegetables, jams and jellies, dairy products, fruit and sports drinks, sweeteners, oils and oil emulsions, meat and fish, cereal, egg products, and packaged foods and desserts. 

Bell Chem is a sanitation chemical supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including malic acid. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.


Read More
Alkaline Cleaners, Sanitation Monique Day Alkaline Cleaners, Sanitation Monique Day

Acid Cleaners vs. Alkaline Cleaners

Choosing the correct cleaner and disinfectant for your work surfaces is critical. Chemically, cleaners are generally divided into 2 categories: acidic cleaners and alkaline cleaners. Both perform exceptionally well, but a difference exists outside their being on opposite sides of the pH scale. What exactly is the difference between an acidic cleaner compared to a basic (alkaline) cleaner? Sanitation ingredient supplier Bell Chem wishes to shed light on this conundrum with information pertaining to both and how they can be utilized to the best of their functionality.

As a refresher, “pH” is parts hydrogen, or how many hydrogen ions are in a solution. The pH scale begins at 1 and continues to 14 with the center, 7, being neutral. We consider water to be the neutral pH of 7 with an equal number of hydrogen (H+) ions and hydroxide (OH-) ions. Add the hydrogen and hydroxide ions together and H2O is the result. Any solution with a pH less than 7 is considered acidic while solutions greater than pH 7 are alkaline. Weak acids and alkalis are closer to 7 with strong acids and bases skirting the perimeter of the pH scale.

Here are some examples of how different cleaners are used across industries:

  • Janitorial services: This industry turns to alkaline cleaners for removing grime and dirt from surfaces or waxed floors, and the 

  • Restaurant and food and beverage: These industries rely heavily on alkaline cleaners to emulsify fat, grease, oil, and wax and keep surfaces clean. 

  • Restaurant and food processing: Acids effectively eradicate biofilm from surfaces.

  • HVAC environments: Slightly alkaline cleaners are ideal here because they remove water-soluble coolants. This same power is harnessed to disrupt molecular bonds in oils to remove them from heavy machinery.

  • Public restrooms: Using weak acid cleaners to remove hard water, soap residue, rust, or other mineral deposits expedites the task. 

  • Water treatment facilities: A strong acid applied to hard water deposits in sanitation stations or water treatment facilities removes rust and other corrosives.

  • Dairy farmers: These farmers find glycolic acid’s affinity to metals ideal in removing casein residue from stainless steel.

 

These cleaners have many industrial uses, and they all have unique abilities to clean especially difficult areas. Because they react favorably to metals, acids are employed to brighten aluminum and brass. Highly alkaline cleaners focus on emulsification as well as removing traces of carbon and paint. Glycolic acid is strong enough to dissolve concrete, but safe enough to use on a variety of metals. Knowing which cleaner is best utilized with your specific problem will ensure an easier method of removing unwanted dirt and corrosion. Look to Bell Chem for all your chemical cleaning needs.


Bell Chem is a sanitation ingredient supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including a strong line of acidic and alkaline cleaning products. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service from Bell Chem. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.

Read More
Hydrogen Peroxide, Chlorine Monique Day Hydrogen Peroxide, Chlorine Monique Day

Disinfecting Your Commercial Kitchen

Most businesses are familiar with cleaning products and utilize specialized cleaners for ovens, silverware, and linens. However, COVID-19 has placed emphasis on products not specifically found in every cleaner: namely, sanitizers and disinfectants. Bell Chem, your sanitation ingredient supplier, wants to share this important information with you so you can ensure your business – large or small – operates with the ultimate level of disinfection. 

It is first vitally important to recognize the distinct difference between a sanitizer and a disinfectant. Many people use these terms interchangeably, but they are significantly different, especially in the wake of COVID-19. Take a look at any sanitizer’s label and you will note it claims to “reduce the number of germs/pathogens/bacteria.” The claims will vary depending on the product’s use. A disinfectant is a whole new level of health safety because it actually kills bacteria/pathogens/germs when used properly. Although the cost is greater for a disinfectant, the level of safety is vitally important. 

When considering disinfectants, you will find three disinfectant classifications containing seven total categories.  

  • General disinfectant: This nonspecific disinfectant is great for all surfaces and does not target a specific pathogen. Most businesses and industries rely on general disinfectants.

    • Chlorine compounds remove all traces of body fluids, and are ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, or dining areas. 

    • Alcohols dry rapidly and are often used on electronic equipment, such as touch screens or keyboards.

    • Phenolic compounds often destroy more than pathogens, as they mar surfaces and equipment upon application. They are excellent at controlling mycobacterium tuberculosis, viruses, and fungi when used properly.

    • Hydrogen peroxide is often paired with peracetic acid, which is an effective disinfectant, but highly reactive.

  • Limited disinfectant: Some industries find their disinfecting needs focus solely on one group of microorganisms. 

    • Aldehydes are often used to stop the spread of bacteria that cause tuberculosis.

  • Hospital-grade disinfectant: Healthcare-acquired bacterial pathogens require a disinfectant to keep patients, healthcare workers, and staff as healthy as possible.

    • Quaternary ammonium compounds are highly effective and can be combined with detergents to clean and disinfect simultaneously.

    • Chlorine compounds such as Bell Chem’s sodium hypochlorite 10-12%, are broad-spectrum disinfectants that remove dried microorganisms and biofilms from surfaces.

    • Iodophors are not commonly used any longer because they stain, but they are highly effective. 

Always ensure the disinfectant you choose is the correct product for the task. Disinfectant labels will give information on the pathogens they target, known as the “kill claim,” as well as proper usage and disposal. Also remember that disinfectants work best on a clean surface. Therefore, areas should be cleaned before disinfecting begins. 


Bell Chem is a sanitation ingredient supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including CSANTM sanitation products. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.

Read More
Sanitation Erica Weatherstone Sanitation Erica Weatherstone

Csan™ Sanitation Chemicals at Bell Chem

The Daytona Beach chemical supplier, Bell Chem, offers CsanTM sanitation chemicals to provide our customers with the ultimate in sanitation products. Read below for a list of Csan sanitation chemicals your company may require depending on your need.

  • General purpose cleaners – Used to remove dirt, dust, stains, and odors, general purpose cleaners may take on a liquid, granulated, powder, or spray form. While some general purpose cleaners kill bacteria, others may not.
  • Chlorinated detergents – These chemicals kill bacteria, molds, and yeasts as they disinfect and bleach. Used primarily in food preparation areas or other locations where the threat of vegetative bacteria are present, chlorinated detergents disinfect as they sterilize. From bleaching wood pulp to killing weeds, chlorinated detergents have a variety of uses.
  • Foaming cleaners – Normal spray cleaners are not able to cling to surfaces as readily as foaming cleaners. Foaming cleaners are effective in the removal of fat, protein-based stains, food soil, and other residues on surfaces in the food processing industry. Foaming cleaners adhere more thoroughly to vertical or inverted surfaces to better clean these difficult-to-reach areas.
  • Alkaline cleaners – With strong bases as their cleaning agent, alkaline cleaners dissolve fat, grease, oil, and protein-based substances. Alkaline cleaners are often paired with dispersants to prevent the redeposition of chelants and dissolved soil.
  • Acid Degreasers – Oils and other soils are no match for the chemical reactions of acid degreasers. Used on non-organic deposits, acid degreasers prevent scaling, remove calcium deposits, and dissolve grease and proteins.
  • Sanitizer –  Cleaners differ from sanitizers in that sanitizers are able to clean while they disinfect. Used in areas where bacteria and viruses are an issue – hospitals, dental offices and surgery centers, food prep areas, and bathrooms – sanitizers destroy most microorganisms with their antimicrobial properties by destroying the cell walls of microbes and interfering with their metabolism.

Csan sanitation chemicals can be used in all industries demanding sanitary conditions. Demand the best; contact the Daytona Beach chemical supplier, Bell Chem, today at 407-339-BELL (407-339-2355) to learn more about our Csan line of sanitation chemicals.

Read More