Technology Helps Towels Combat Quat Depletion

The National Wiper Alliance has selected Gelest’s antimicrobial technology to enhance its newly introduced foodservice towels, announces Gelest, Inc. in a press release.

A study by NSF International found that 75% of kitchen towels were contaminated with bacteria compared to only 9% of restroom handles. Damp towels with trapped food residue create ideal environments for bacteria, mold and fungi to grow. Sanitizing solutions, such as quaternary ammonium compounds, or Quat, can clean the towels but will not protect them against growth of odor-causing bacteria and mold during use. 

Another growing concern for food service establishments, all-natural towels are highly desirable, but they are known Quat depletors. The towels can cause Quat levels in sanitizing solutions to suddenly drop below the mandated level, which can result in serious food sanitation and safety issues.  

“Gelest and NWA joined forces and successfully developed a simple solution that provides towels with antimicrobial protection and mitigates against Quat depletion,” says Ken Gayer, chief executive officer of Gelest. “We are proud NWA chose our industry-leading BIOSAFE antimicrobial technology for its new QUAT KEEPER Foodservice Towels.”