Sanitizer efficacy against murine norovirus, a surrogate for human norovirus, on stainless steel surfaces using three application methods

Human noroviruses cause over half of foodborne illnesses in the U.S. Since they cannot replicate in laboratory cultures, a surrogate, murine norovirus (MNV-1), is commonly used. This study evaluated three sanitizers, 200 ppm chlorine, levulinic acid plus sodium dodecyl sulfate (LEV/SDS), and isopropanol/quaternary ammonium-based Alpet D2 for efficacy using hydraulic spraying; air-assisted, induction-charged (AAIC) electrostatic spraying; and wiping with an impregnated towelette. Control treatments (water and water/SDS) were included. LEV/SDS proved most effective with hydraulic and AAIC electrostatic spraying, providing viral log reductions of 2.71 and 1.66, respectively. Chlorine and LEV/SDS were equally effective as wipes, reducing viral load by 7.05 logs. Alpet D2 provided a 2.23 log reduction with hydraulic spraying, outperforming chlorine (1.16 log reduction). Controls reduced viral load by < 1 log with spraying applications and by > 3 logs with wiping. Both type and application method should be carefully considered when choosing a food-contact surface sanitizer.