FOOD PROCESSING: Backery Production Facilities

24.07.2025
5 minutes read, PDF version available: DOWNLOAD PDF

In large-scale food manufacturing environments, the combination of moisture, heat, and organic residues creates ideal conditions for mold proliferation.Upper Room GUV offers a cuttingedge sanitation solution designed to seamlessly integrate into production workflows while maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety.

CHALLENGES
The world’s largest baking company
specializes in the high-volume production of buns and tortillas, delivering consistently high-quality products that reflect the company’s reputation for excellence.
Several months ago, the team adopted a holistic strategy to enhance product protection by integrating UV-C technology. They began by installing UV-C systems within their air handling units (AHUs) to improve overall indoor air quality, but soon recognized the need to target critical zones where precise ventilation control directly impacts product integrity.
Focus was placed on the tortilla production line, particularly during the cooling phase, where hundreds of tortillas travel along two multi-tier conveyor belts. This stage relies on a forced airflow system, driven through a row of cooling evaporators, designed to rapidly bring down
the tortillas' temperature.

Nourishing a Better World.
A global leader in the baking industry has proactively embraced innovation to protect food quality and workplace safety.
With a strong commitment to excellence and continuous improvement, the company adopted UV-C disinfection technology—a science-based solution that enhances hygiene standards without relying on chemical additives.


PROPOSED SOLUTION
After a first visit of our team for the commissioning, a total of 13 UV- FLOW-90H-C-WH systems were strategically installed—6 units along one wall and 7 along the opposite wall,  precisely angled to irradiate the surface of the cooling evaporators.
The installation was executed uniformly, and the systems effectively confined UV-C light to the upper zones of the room, ensuring both optimal disinfection coverage and adherence to safety standards.


POST INSTALLATION
After installation, UV-C validation confirmed the system was effectively targeting critical contamination zones—specifically the space between the two multi-level conveyor belts during the cooling phase. UV-FLOW devices were strategically placed to ensure continuous irradiation of airflows and surfaces where airborne spores are most likely to circulate and come into contact with exposed bakery products. Once spores settle on the product surface, it’s often too late removal becomes nearly impossible. For this reason, the setup prevents spore spread at the source, protecting product quality and ensuring hygienic processing conditions, thus meeting safety standards for both products and employees.
Safety signage was installed per regulations, and a detailed report was provided to the facility manager.

A verification test was conducted by a C-GUVMP accredited by NALMCO, in accordance with the standards outlined in the GUV Certification Training Program.
Find more here:
https://
www.nalmco.org/guv-training

The inspection revealed irradiance levels at "eye height" to be 100 times lower than the safety threshold of 0.2 µW/cm²,demonstrating exceptionally low exposure in occupied zones. Measurements taken one meter from the UV-FLOW units, at the height of the devices, showed UV-C intensities between 29 and 33 µW/cm² -precisely where disinfection performance is required.  
 
LIGHT PROGRESS VALUES
The decision-making process began when the Quality team received internal insights about UV light applications in similar production settings. A root cause analysis clearly identified the contamination source, and UV-C emerged as a promising remedy.
But why Light Progress?
1. Proven experience and market references
Light Progress' long-standing reputation in the UV-C industry, with successful installations across the world and across markets - focusing on food industries - made the difference.
2. Technical credibility. 
In-depth knowledge of UV-C and ventilation dynamics providing tailored recommendations that addressed custom specific needs where a key to a reliable but easy installation.
3. Readiness to support certified installations
defined process that ensured the installation met all compliance standards, supported by detailed documentationexpert guidance, and certified NALMCO - added value.
“ The installation was carried out without any issues and everything is working smoothly with all safety measures properly implemented and communicated to our team.
While it’s still early to evaluate the full impact, we believe this technology holds great potential for disinfection and for extending the shelf life —offering a valuable alternative chemical additives.”
Plant Manager







F.A.Q.

Ultraviolet rays are electromagnetic waves which are part of light. Electromagnetic waves are divided into three main wavelength bands, expressed in nanometers, nm: Ultraviolet rays (UV) 100-400 nm Visible rays (light) 400-700 nm Infrared rays (IR) 700-800,000 nm UV rays are in turn identified in three bands:

  • UV-A (315-400 nm) with tanning properties;
  • UV-B (280-315 nm) con proprietà terapeutiche e di sintesi della vitamina "D";
  • UV-C (100-280 nm) with germicidal properties.

UV-C rays (100-280 nm) have a strong germicidal effect and reach their maximum efficacy at the 265 nm wavelength. The germicidal effect of UV-C radiation covers bacteria, viruses, spores, fungi, moulds and mites; this is mainly due to the destructive effect of the UV-C rays on their DNA, which damage their reproductive system and prevent them from replicating.

Bacteria, Viruses, Spores, Fungi, Mould, and Mites are all sensitive to, and can therefore be eliminated with, UV-C light. Mircrobes cannot acquire resistance to UV-C light, unlike that which occurs using chemical disinfectants and antibiotics. UV rays are ecological. Polluting the environment is inevitable using normal disinfectants. Directly inhaling the vapours, or swallowing food products contaminated by any contact with said chemical disinfectants, can also give rise to a number of serious risks. In cases where chemical disinfectants cannot be eliminated (food, pharmaceutical, healthcare industries, etc.), using ultraviolet rays for disinfection allows a reduction in their use, with considerable economic savings and greater care for the environment, while maintaining and almost always improving the level of disinfection. UV-C light devices can be installed in environments and on machinery and be programmed to maintain the same level of disinfection day and night, guaranteeing ideal hygiene conditions, without highs and lows. On the contrary, chemical disinfectants are effective only during their actual use. Using LIGHT PROGRESS equipped luminaires, operating costs are negligible; it could be said that “LIGHT PROGRESS” UV-C systems do not require maintenance except for the normal replacement of the lamps. The cost/benefit ratio is considered excellent; the devices are both powerful and long-lasting. Hence the elimination of germs using UV-C technology is low-cost and highly effective compared to (or in combination with) other systems.

UV-C really does work when applied correctly and with the necessary precautions. The difference between a quality project and an unsuccessful application is in-depth knowledge and experience gained over time. Since 1987, Light Progress has been carrying out successful projects all over the world and has acquired a clientele of major companies in all sectors that require verified hygienic conditions to produce quality products and services.