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The FDA’s Conference For Food Protection will meet in Denver, March 24-28, 2025 to evaluate proposed updates to its Model Food Code. Delegates will consider adding two additional handwash methods derived from this research.
Research confirms alcohol hand sanitizer in medium to light soil is superior to soap water handwashes.
Column A illustrates the effectiveness of a traditional 20-second paper towel-dried soap/water handwash, which reduces pathogens by 99.9%, a Log 3 reduction.
Column B represents alcohol-based hand sanitizer, yielding a Log 4 reduction, 99.99%. This protocol is suited for use in Emergencies, especially during water outages,
Column C follows the protocol of Column A but replaces soap and water with alcohol hand sanitizer. This soap-free, waterless method delivers a 99.999%, Log 5, pathogen reduction, bringing a higher margin of safety to Temporary Event handwashing.
The Research
Source: Association of Food and Drug Officials
