The Romanian company Romfracht, the official representative of Realco in Romania—one of the leading manufacturers of industrial enzymatic detergents—will participate as a Gold Partner at the 14th edition of the Meat. Milk. Expo-Conference, which will take place on May 26-27, 2025, at Hotel Alpin in Poiana Brașov.

On this occasion, Romfracht will showcase its range of products and services at its booth in the Expo area. Additionally, company representatives will deliver a presentation during the General Session on May 26. Below is an excerpt of the company’s key concerns, as presented by Romfracht:

Hygiene in the Dairy Industry: How Enzymatic Technology is Changing the Game

Did you know that 60% of foodborne illnesses result from the transfer of microorganisms from equipment surfaces to the final product?

In the dairy industry, where the risk of contamination is a constant challenge, traditional cleaning methods are not always sufficient.

When protected by a biofilm, microorganisms can be 10 to 1,000 times more resistant to disinfectants[2].

This is where enzymatic technology comes in—an innovative solution that completely removes biofilms while protecting equipment and reducing environmental impact.

Why is biofilm a major problem in dairy processing?

The dairy industry provides ideal conditions for microorganism growth. Without rigorous hygiene control, these microorganisms can form protective biofilms, leading to persistent, hard-to-detect contamination and posing significant food safety risks.

The main microorganisms and viruses associated with biofilm formation in dairy processing facilities include:

• Bacillus sp.
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Pseudomonas sp.
• Clostridium sp.
• Candida
• Coliforms
• Bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria)

If a microorganism is present in the production environment, there is a 70% chance it will also be found in the final product. More than 90% of bacteria are capable of forming biofilms[3].

Other hygiene challenges in dairy processing

• Residue buildup: Proteins, fats, and minerals from milk form stubborn layers on equipment, fostering microorganism growth.
• Cross-contamination: Raw materials, equipment, and personnel can transfer microorganisms from one area to another, compromising product safety.
• Equipment efficiency: Residue buildup reduces the performance of equipment such as pasteurizers.

How can biofilms be effectively removed? A comparison of methods

Traditional cleaning methods:

• Require high temperatures and significant energy consumption.
• Use harsh chemicals that can damage equipment.
• Do not completely eliminate biofilms, leading to recurring contamination issues.

Enzymatic cleaning:

The Romanian company Romfracht, the official representative of Realco in Romania—one of the leading manufacturers of industrial enzymatic detergents—will participate as a Gold Partner at the 14th edition of the Meat. Milk. Expo-Conference, taking place on May 26-27, 2025, at Hotel Alpin in Poiana Brașov.

On this occasion, Romfracht will showcase its range of products and services at its booth in the Expo area. Additionally, company representatives will deliver a presentation during the General Session on May 26. Below is an overview of the company’s key concerns, as presented by Romfracht:

Hygiene in the Dairy Industry: How Enzymatic Technology is Changing the Game

Did you know that 60% of foodborne illnesses result from the transfer of microorganisms from equipment surfaces to the final product[1]?

In the dairy industry, where the risk of contamination is a constant challenge, traditional cleaning methods are not always sufficient.

When protected by a biofilm, microorganisms can be 10 to 1,000 times more resistant to disinfectants[2].

This is where enzymatic technology comes in—an innovative solution that completely removes biofilms while protecting equipment and reducing environmental impact.

Why is Biofilm a Major Problem in Dairy Processing?

The dairy industry provides ideal conditions for microorganism growth. Without rigorous hygiene control, these microorganisms can form protective biofilms, leading to persistent, hard-to-detect contamination and posing significant food safety risks.

The main microorganisms and viruses associated with biofilm formation in dairy processing facilities include:

• Bacillus sp.
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Pseudomonas sp.
• Clostridium sp.
• Candida
• Coliforms
• Bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria)

If a microorganism is present in the production environment, there is a 70% chance it will also be found in the final product. More than 90% of bacteria are capable of forming biofilms[3].

Other Hygiene Challenges in Dairy Processing

• Residue buildup: Proteins, fats, and minerals from milk form stubborn layers on equipment, fostering microorganism growth.
• Cross-contamination: Raw materials, equipment, and personnel can transfer microorganisms from one area to another, compromising product safety.
• Equipment efficiency: Residue buildup reduces the performance of equipment such as pasteurizers.

How Can Biofilms Be Effectively Removed? Comparing Methods

Traditional Cleaning Methods:

• Require high temperatures and significant energy consumption.
• Use harsh chemicals that can damage equipment.
• Do not completely eliminate biofilms, leading to recurring contamination issues.

Enzymatic Cleaning:

• Works at lower temperatures, saving energy.
• Breaks down biofilm at a molecular level, completely removing organic residues.
• Is biodegradable, reducing environmental impact.
• Improves equipment efficiency by preventing residue buildup.

The Enzymatic Solution: Proven Industry Results

A concrete example comes from a goat milk processing plant in Belgium, which faced losses due to contamination. After implementing an enzymatic cleaning protocol, the results were remarkable:

Pasteurizer efficiency increased by 18%

"Thanks to Realco products, we improved the efficiency of our pasteurizer by 18%." – Testimonial from a Belgian goat milk processing plant.

Effective Cleaning for Every Stage of Production

Choose the right solution from our range of enzymatic detergents, specially designed for cleaning:

• Closed circuits (CIP) – effectively removes organic deposits and biofilms from pipes and tanks.
• Open surfaces (OPC) – eliminates fat, protein, and biofilm residues from surfaces and equipment, maintaining high hygiene standards.

A Step Forward in Food Safety

Regular enzymatic cleaning, combined with targeted enzymatic treatments for biofilms, enables:

✔ Efficient removal of biofilms and fat and protein deposits[4]. ✔ Optimization of equipment efficiency (pasteurizers, UHT systems, etc.) by eliminating buildup. ✔ Extended equipment lifespan by reducing wear caused by harsh chemicals. ✔ Lower contamination risks through improved hygiene control. ✔ Better microbiological test results, ensuring compliance with industry standards. ✔ Improved product shelf life by minimizing microbial contamination. ✔ Enhanced aseptic process control, leading to safer food production.

Want to discover how enzymatic technology can revolutionize hygiene in your production facility?

Contact us at https://romfracht.com/ro/enzymes/ for a free consultation!

References: ([1] Bridier, A., Sanchez-Vizuete, P., Guilbaud, M., Piard, J.-C., Naïtali, M., & Briandet, R. (2015). Biofilm-associated persistence of food-borne pathogens. Food Microbiology, 45(Pt B), 167–178. PubMed;

[2] Shakeri, S., Kermanshahi, R. K., Moghaddam, M. M., & Emtiazi, G. (2007). Assessment of biofilm cell removal and killing and biocide efficacy using the microtiter plate test. Biofouling, 23(1–2), 79–86. DOI;

[3] Richards, J. J., & Melander, C. (2009). Controlling Bacterial Biofilms. ChemBioChem, 10(14), 2287–2294. DOI;

[4] Bridier et al., 2015; Delhalle et al., 2020; Lefebvre et al., 2016; Lequette et al., 2010; Nagaraj et al., 2017; Oulahal et al., 2007; Stiefel et al., 2016; Tsiaprazi-Stamou et al., 2019. DOI