the Nocospray concept

Nocospray is a disinfection concept in which an aqueous solution (Nocolyse-Food) disinfects a room – including all the equipment and other items in it – via a dry vapour. The concept received approval for use in the food industry from the Dutch Board for the Authorisation of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (CTGB) in December 2015. Since then, more and more companies are embracing the concept. 

“The food companies that have started with the Nocospray concept this year are characterised by their innovativeness,” says Hugo ter Hoeve from Simpel Desinfecteren, supplier of the product. “They innovate in terms of both their products and their production activities and are leading the way in the use of new techniques.” He mentions companies such as Versvishandel Jan van As in Amsterdam, Bakkerij Deckers in Banholt and Ad Bergwerff’s Slagerijen in Barendrecht. We asked all three companies about their experiences with the disinfection concept.  

How does it work?

The Nocospray machine disperses the Nocolyse-Food liquid throughout the room at a speed of almost 300km/h through a patented nozzle. The Nocospray is intended for rooms measuring from 50m³ up to 1,000m³ and the Nocomax is for rooms from 500m³ up to 20,000m³. The process creates a dry vapour that produces oxygen radicals which have a strong disinfectant action – much stronger than chlorine, alcohol or quaternary ammonium compounds. Wherever the oxygen radicals are, they eliminate the (pathogenic) microorganisms and can even achieve a 6-log reduction. No one is allowed to be present in the room during the treatment with Nocospray. Although the radicals are aggressive they also dissolve quickly, which means that it is completely safe to enter the room again after just half an hour. The treatment does not leave any residues behind meaning that rinsing is not necessary plus, because nothing remains behind, microorganisms cannot develop a resistance. The oxygen radicals are 100% corrosion-free and 100% biodegradable, so this method also works well as part of a sustainability policy. 

Vishandel Jan van As

Fish processor Vishandel Jan van As has installed Nocospray at both its fish processing facility and the Zalmhuis Steur salmon smokery. Director Wijgert van As: “Following a successful trial with the Nocospray, we’ve integrated this method into our R&D procedures. It works well at both facilities. In our fresh fish processing plant, we clean and disinfect every day and we use the Nocospray once a week to be extra certain. At Zalmhuis Steur the Nocospray is used daily and is our only disinfectant. We switch the Nocospray machine on when we’ve finished cleaning and then we go home, so we can set to work again straight away the next day. The microbiological results are excellent and it’s good from a cost perspective too, but we knew that already because we did a detailed costing in collaboration with Simpel Desinfecteren beforehand.”

‘The dry vapour gets everywhere’

‘The oxygen radicals have a strong disinfectant action’

Bakkerij Deckers in Banholt

Bakkerij Deckers bakery also uses the Nocospray once a week. Owner Huub Deckers: “It gives me the peace of mind that moulds and yeasts don’t stand a chance. We have a fairly large area with lots of production equipment and all kinds of nooks and crannies where mould could grow. Regular cleaning doesn’t give me the certainty of eliminating all those risks, but the Nocospray does. So at the end of every week we switch on the Nocospray machine, close the door and then we start work again on Monday. It’s ideal. It might not be the cheapest way, but it’s definitely more than worth the extra cost.” 

Ad Bergwerff’s Slagerijen in Barendrecht

Leo Bergwerff, director of the group of butcher’s companies, explains that they use the Nocospray in addition to their regular disinfection activities to disinfect the areas once a week. “Among other things, we do that to stop mould forming in the evaporators – so it’s a preventive measure,” he says. “This also helps us to keep Listeria at bay, because the dry vapour gets everywhere. We regularly measure it using test strips and the results are always good. The Nocospray machine is amazingly easy to operate. We have no regrets about our purchase.”

Cycling team

Hugo ter Hoeve from Simpel Desinfecteren adds: “The Nocospray isn’t only used in the food industry. When the medical team of the Lotto Jumbo road cycling team heard about the Nocospray, they wanted it too. That underlines that the Nocospray concept really works and it even has the support of a leading medical team. During both the Tour de France and the Vuelta they used it to disinfect the hotel rooms where the Lotto Jumbo team cyclists were staying. The cyclists are really happy with it because it significantly reduces the chance of them picking up a flu bug.” 

www.simpeldesinfecteren.nl