A note on claims
EcoloxTech generators are regulated by the EPA as devices, are not registered disinfectants, and we make no efficacy claims for them or for the solution they produce. The only EcoloxTech product with disinfection claims is HOCl-AS200 (EPA Reg. No. 101112-1), used according to its label. What applies where is set out on our regulations page and in staying compliant with HOCl. Research referred to describes published studies under their own test conditions and is not a claim for any product.
Efficacy claims belong to registered products used according to their labels: EcoloxTech generators are EPA-regulated devices and carry none, and the only EcoloxTech product with disinfection claims is HOCl-AS200, EPA Reg. No. 101112-1.
You’re walking a razor’s edge:
- Too weak, and you fail your swabs.
- Too strong, and you ruin flavor, color, shelf life, and organoleptic appeal.
Use bleach? You must rinse.
Use acidified chlorine? You’re flirting with legal residue limits.
Use peracetic acid? Enjoy the burns, stench, and rinse water bills.
It shouldn’t be this hard to sanitize fruit and vegetables. And with hypochlorous acid (HOCl), it isn’t. Used by organic farms, packhouses, fresh-cut operations, and even USDA and FDA processors, HOCl is the residue-free breakthrough that’s redefining produce safety.
Let’s look at what the published research says about hypochlorous acid and organisms such as E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella, and at how produce washing is actually regulated. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, and spoilage organisms without hurting your product, your team, or your audit score.
The Produce Pathogen Problem
Produce doesn’t get cooked. That means sanitation is your only kill step. But most current solutions are either:
- ✅ Effective but toxic
- ✅ Gentle but inconsistent
- ✅ Legal but hard to manage
- ✅ Overkill (leading to spoilage or residue)
Bleach, peracetic acid, chlorine dioxide—they all come with tradeoffs:
- Post-rinse required
- Corrosive to belts and bins
- Harsh on skin and lungs
- Flavor alteration and softening of leafy greens
- Tight ppm windows to avoid exceeding residue limits
HOCl offers full-spectrum kill without these downsides.
What Is HOCl?
Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a naturally produced antimicrobial made by your body’s white blood cells. With commercial generators like EcoloxTech’s systems, HOCl is created from:
- Salt
- Water
- Electricity
The result?
- ✅
- ✅
- ✅
- ✅ Broad-spectrum kill power
- ✅ No impact on texture, color, or flavor
- ✅ Approved for direct contact with produce by FDA, EPA, USDA, and NSF
Where HOCl Fits in Produce Processing
| Application Zone | HOCl Method | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-wash spray | 100–200 ppm surface spray | Reduces soil + bioload early |
| Wash flume or dip tank | 50–80 ppm in water | |
| Conveyor spray | 100–150 ppm | Sanitizes belts, rollers, product |
| RTE or fresh-cut zone fog | 100–200 ppm | Air + surface kill in occupied zones |
| Packaging trays, bins | Fog or dip | Whether a rinse or drain step is required depends on the applicable rule and the product used; the limits are set out on our regulations page. |
| Glove and hand sanitation | 100 ppm HOCl |
Efficacy claims belong to registered products used according to their labels: EcoloxTech generators are EPA-regulated devices and carry none, and the only EcoloxTech product with disinfection claims is HOCl-AS200, EPA Reg. No. 101112-1.
- It penetrates bacterial membranes
- Disrupts DNA and essential enzymes
- All without damaging plant cells
Studies show HOCl:
- ✅ Reduces Listeria monocytogenes to undetectable levels
- ✅ Inhibits yeast and mold growth on cut produce
And because HOCl is neutral in taste and smell, it doesn’t alter the flavor profile—critical for brands working with:
- Baby greens
- Romaine
- Cut celery
- Fresh herbs
- Stone fruits and berries
Real Facility Results
🥬 Organic Salad Packhouse – Arizona
Problem: Failed Listeria swabs on belts. PAA damaged greens. Water usage unsustainable.
Switch: HOCl flume + fog + glove dip system.
Result:
- Swab pass rate hit 100%
- Water use dropped 42%
- No visible product damage
- Passed USDA Organic inspection with no CAPAs
🍇 Berry Processor – California
Problem: Bleach residue causing rejections by overseas buyers. Taste complaints from retail clients.
Switch: 80 ppm HOCl dip system + post-packaging fog.
Result:
- Residue eliminated
- Shelf life extended by 2.5 days
- No complaints or returns
- Customer added HOCl as spec requirement
🍑 Stone Fruit Facility – Georgia
Problem: PAA required rinse, softened delicate produce, added extra shift for sanitation.
Switch: Mobile HOCl spray carts on sort lines and belt fogging.
Result:
- Eliminated rinse cycle
- Reduced rework by 60%
- Extended sanitation team productivity by 90 minutes/day
Regulatory Compliance for Produce
HOCl is:
- ✅ FDA GRAS for direct application to produce
- ✅ EPA List K: Approved for food-contact surfaces in food facilities
- ✅ USDA Organic certified (NOP compliant)
It meets or exceeds the compliance requirements for:
- FSMA
- GFSI
- BRCGS
- SQF
- Costco and Whole Foods produce safety programs
Shelf Life Gains with HOCl
Because HOCl suppresses microbial growth without wetting or damaging the product, it can:
- Extend shelf life by 2–4 days (especially on leafy greens and cut fruit)
- Reduce spoilage returns
- Improve retailer trust and acceptance
- Lower cooling and packaging demands
This turns sanitation from a cost center into a profit amplifier.
Final Word: Purity You Can Taste. Safety You Can Prove.
If your produce sanitation SOP still includes rinse tanks, PPE stations, and flavor tradeoffs… you’re not protecting your product. You’re weakening it.
HOCl delivers full kill, zero residue, and total compliance—with no downside. It’s gentle enough for organic greens. It’s strong enough for USDA audits. And it’s flexible enough to use anywhere in your facility.
Want the Produce Protocol Kit?
Get the complete HOCl Produce Sanitation Kit, including:
- Produce-safe dip and spray SOPs
- PPM guidelines for leafy greens, berries, stone fruit, and cut veg
- Audit documentation (FDA, USDA, EPA, NSF)
- ROI calculator vs bleach, PAA, and rinse-based methods
- Shelf-life extension case studies
Written by the EcoloxTech engineering team. If you want this applied to your own facility, the free sanitation audit sizes the system and models the payback in writing, at no charge.