Insect light traps (ILTs) emitting UV-A light are crucial for monitoring filth flies in food factories. Leading food safety standards, such as the AIB International Consolidated Standards for Inspection and the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety, have specific requirements for ILT use in fly monitoring programs, which food safety auditors verify during audits.
To effectively assess an auditee facility’s fly monitoring program, auditors need a solid understanding of UV LED ILTs, which have become prevalent over the past two decades. This blog post outlines twelve key aspects of UV LED ILTs that every food safety auditor should know.
1. Wide Variation in Design and Performance
While the number of UV LED ILT brands globally is relatively small, there is significant variation in design and performance among them. Each manufacturer uses different technologies in their ILTs, impacting their effectiveness.
2. Difference in UV Emission
Fluorescent tubes and LEDs emit UV-A light differently, influencing the ILT’s performance. LEDs offer advantages in terms of energy efficiency and longevity.
3. Fly Attraction: Blue and UV Light
Flies are attracted to a combination of blue and UV light. Effective ILTs utilize both light spectrums to maximize fly attraction.
4. Inherently Glass-Free
UV LEDs are inherently glass-free, making them ideal for food factories with glass-free policies. UV LED ILTs eliminate the need for plastic sleeves or shatterproof glass fluorescent tubes.
5. Long Lifespan
UV LEDs have a longer lifespan than fluorescent tubes, often requiring annual replacement. The lifespan of UV LEDs varies by manufacturer, but they generally offer extended service life.
6. Consistent UV-A Emission
Unlike UV fluorescent tubes, which lose UV-A emission over time, UV LEDs maintain consistent UV-A output, ensuring continuous performance.
7. Lower Blue Light Intensity
UV LED ILTs can perform similarly to fluorescent tube ILTs with lower wattage. This results in lower blue light intensity, which can be less disruptive in some settings.
8. Not All Flies Are Trapped
While ILTs are designed to attract and trap flies, not all flies will be captured. Various factors can influence fly behaviour and response to ILTs.
9. Monitoring, Not Control
ILTs are monitoring tools that indicate changes in fly populations over time. Food factories must use preventive measures, such as fly barriers and improved hygiene, in response to higher catches in ILTs.
10. Compact Size
UV LEDs are smaller than fluorescent tubes, allowing for more compact ILT designs without compromising fly-catching performance.
11. Full Glueboards Indicate Lack of Control
A glueboard full of flying insects indicates a potential fly control issue. Effective fly prevention measures should be in place to minimize fly attraction to the facility.
12. Third-Generation Technology
UV LED ILTs represent the third generation of ILT technology, evolving from electrocuting flies to trapping them on glueboards. They offer advantages in terms of safety, efficiency, and longevity.
Conclusion
UV LED ILTs are a significant advancement in fly monitoring technology. They offer numerous benefits over traditional fluorescent tube ILTs, including longer lifespan, consistent performance, and glass-free construction.
Food safety auditors should be knowledgeable about UV LED ILTs to assess fly monitoring programs in food factories effectively. As the food industry continues to adopt these advanced tools, auditors play a crucial role in ensuring their proper use and compliance with food safety standards.
Giridhar Pai Associates: Your Partner in Fly Monitoring for Food Safety
Giridhar Pai Associates (GPA) is India’s only distributor of Pestroniks Innovations’ FLYght UV LED Insect Light Traps.
FLYght Duo traps feature a patented bio-visual enhancer (bio-VE+) reflector that emits a highly attractive combination of UV and blue light.
Numerous food factories in India complying with leading global food safety standards have installed FLYght Duo traps for audit compliance and success.
GPA’s website provides valuable information on UV LED ILTs for food safety professionals.
We have guided leading Indian food manufacturers in developing fly monitoring programs with UV LED ILTs as part of their food safety standard compliance.
Planning and implementing a fly monitoring program is straightforward and involves choosing the right UV LED ILTs that combine the best available features.
Contact us to discuss your company’s UV LED Insect Light Trap requirements for your food safety program.