Rapid Method for Detection and Quantitation of Lipid Soils on Food Contact Surfaces: Evaluation of a Model System.

A rapid method for detection and quantitation of lipid-containing food soils on food-contact surfaces has been developed to ascertain whether these surfaces have been properly cleaned. The method is based on transfer of lipid-based soils from a food-contact surface to a polyethylene film and subsequent quantitation of the lipid, at 1750 cm-1, by infrared spectrophotometry. Peak height at 1750 cm-1 is linearly related to the quantity of lipid on the polyethylene surface. Standard curves for peak-height against lipid distribution on the polyethylene film were constructed for stainless steel, glass and three types of plastic cutting board material (high density polyethylene, smooth nylotrol and rough nylotro).