The grant, awarded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) via Innovate UK, will support a project in partnership with the University of Greenwich and Ozone Industries Ltd. The research at Cardiff Met, led by Dr James Blaxland, builds on previous work in establishing safe ozone application standards for food production environments.
Ozone, a naturally occurring gas, is recognised as a potent antimicrobial agent capable of eliminating bacteria, viruses, moulds, and pests without leaving harmful chemical residues. This makes it a promising alternative to traditional food sanitisation and preservation methods, with the potential to significantly improve food safety.
The newly funded research will focus on establishing new regulatory guidelines for ozone use in food storage facilities. By reducing microbial contamination and slowing spoilage, ozone could extend shelf life and substantially reduce food waste across the supply chain.
“"Ozone offers a highly effective, residue-free solution for controlling microbial contamination in food environments. This project allows us to take the next step, ensuring that its application in storage facilities is not only effective but demonstrably safe for consumers, whilst also helping to minimise food losses."
Unlike conventional chemical treatments, ozone rapidly decomposes into oxygen, minimising environmental impact and eliminating the need for chemical handling. It also offers more comprehensive sanitation by penetrating hard-to-reach areas.
“Our earlier Knowledge Transfer Partnership laid the groundwork for safe ozone use in production facilities themselves,” added Dr Blaxland. “With Innovate UK’s support, we can now extend those principles into storage, improving food safety standards while helping the industry tackle the critical issue of food waste.” The project aims to deliver practical guidelines, risk assessments, and industry-ready standards to support a safer, more sustainable food system.
