Modern Ice has assisted clients with sanitation and quality control documentation and processes for many years. As our clients are challenged with the new FSMA requirements, Modern Ice recognized the need for a simple and economical monitoring system to easily and reliably test and document the effectiveness of ice plant sanitation procedures.

Our Engineering and Product Development Team members attended FSMA training and then researched options and recommendations to identify the best solution for the Packaged Ice Industry.The ATP Monitoring System is the answer.

The testing is very simple. Test swabs are utilized to swipe a small area of the surface you want to test, then the swab is inserted into the test solution, gently shaken for 10 seconds, and then the swab is placed into the test meter.  Thirty seconds later, you have a reading that tells you if the surface is clean and properly sanitized.

This system uses ATP bioluminescence to measure extremely low levels of organic contamination to provide an instant indication of cleanliness.   The science behind this simple testing system is Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP).  ATP is the energy molecule found in all living and once-living things, making it a perfect indicator when trying to determine if a surface is clean or not.  With this monitoring system, ATP is brought into contact with a reagent in the test device.  Light is then emitted in direct proportion to the amount of ATP present in the sample and this value is read on your meter providing information on the level of contamination in just a few seconds.

In addition, the same ATP test device can be used to verify that water in tanks or sumps used for ice making is bacteria and mold free. In this test you simply collect a sample of the water you want to test using a dipper and then insert the dipper into the test solution.  Just like the surface testing, you will have results in 30 seconds.

The meter can then transfer these readings to a data analysis software package for verification and trending reports.

Modern Ice offers meters and test swabs for you to purchase or you can contract the testing services through ourFreeze Force Technical Services team. They can test your surfaces and provide you with documentation while they are at your location for other installation, maintenance, or technical service work.

ATP monitoring is a great way to verify that you are producing a safe ice which is suitable as a food product.