Is there research supporting UV-C light disinfection?

Yes. This page collects microbiology studies run by outside laboratories on real products and processes: coliforms in chard (38 vs 62 CFU/g with and without UV-C), process water (from 20-35 CFU/mL to under 1 CFU/mL), viral inactivation above 99.99% verified by SGS, and a microbiological profile of powdered avocado pit by Analab.

What percentage of viruses, bacteria and fungi does UV-C light eliminate?

In the SGS test, viral inactivation exceeded 99.99% under controlled laboratory conditions. In a plant, the result depends on the dose applied, the distance and the exposure time on each surface, so every case needs its own validation.

Are UV-Life's studies from independent laboratories?

Yes. The reports come from outside laboratories and agencies: SGS, Analab Chile S.A. (ISO 17025 accredited), Bureau Veritas, plus the health authorization from Chile's MINSAL and registration with Chile's ISP.

Does UV-C light eliminate Listeria and Salmonella?

UV-C light reduces the surface load of bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. by acting on their DNA. It's a surface load-reduction measure: it doesn't penetrate the interior of the food, and it doesn't replace the cold chain or your food-safety plan.

Does UV-C light eliminate bacterial spores?

Bacterial spores are considerably more resistant to UV-C radiation than vegetative cells and require much higher doses. That's why UV-C should not be considered a sterilization method against spores — it's a microbial load-reduction method.

Does UV-C light replace a HACCP plan?

No. UV-C is integrated as a complementary control measure within Good Manufacturing Practice programs and HACCP plans, reducing microbial load at defined points in the process, without replacing the food-safety management system.

UV-C Disinfection: Lab Studies and Certifications

Scientific Evidence: UV-C Light Microbiology Studies

Every study on this page is published with its matrix, the parameter measured, the result with and without UV-C light, the laboratory that issued it, and an image of the original report. We also include what each test does not prove: Type C ultraviolet light is a surface microbial load-reduction tool, not a sterilant.

Studies

What Testing Backs UV-C Disinfection?

Five independent studies run in real production plants and at an accredited laboratory back UV-Life's UV-C disinfection: coliform counts in food, process water quality, an SGS-verified viral inactivation test, and a full microbiological profile from Analab. Every result is published as text so it can be verified, cited and shared.

Food

Coliforms in Chard: 38 vs 62 CFU/g With and Without UV-C

Matrix Analyzed: Fresh chard (leafy green vegetable)
Parameter: Total coliforms
Result With UV-C: 38 CFU/g
Result Without UV-C: 62 CFU/g
Variation: −39%
Laboratory: Laboratorio Italiano · Mendoza, Argentina
Customer / Plant: Rie La Huerta
Report Date: March 17, 2026
Regulatory Reference: Argentine Food Code

What the Report Shows

Two samples from the same batch of chard, one treated with UV-C light and one untreated, analyzed by the same laboratory. The treated sample showed 38 CFU/g of total coliforms versus 62 CFU/g for the untreated sample — a 39% reduction from the starting load. Both samples stayed below the limit set by the Argentine Food Code.

What It Doesn't Prove

It doesn't demonstrate sterilization or the total absence of coliforms. It also can't be extrapolated to other vegetables or other line configurations: the result depends on the UV-C dose applied, the distance and the exposure time on the product's surface.

Laboratory report of total coliforms in chard treated with UV-C light: 38 CFU/g, Rie La Huerta, Mendoza

Laboratory report of total coliforms in untreated chard: 62 CFU/g, Rie La Huerta, Mendoza

Photograph of chard culture plates with and without ultraviolet UV-C light treatment

Equipment Surface

Coliforms on Ice Cream Vat: No Colonies After 24 Hours

Matrix Analyzed: Ice cream vat surface (process equipment)
Parameter: Coliforms
Result With UV-C: No colonies detected
Result Without UV-C: More than 100 CFU
Condition: 24 hours of continuous production
Laboratory / Report: Fruna Report · Polo 12 Line
Customer / Plant: Fruna · Chile
Report Date: January 20, 2025

What the Report Shows

Side-by-side comparison of two vats on the same ice cream line: vat No. 3 with a UV-C lamp installed and vat No. 4 without one. After 24 hours of continuous production, the vat without UV-C exceeded 100 CFU of coliforms, while the one running with UV-C showed no colonies at all.

What It Doesn't Prove

It measures the load on the equipment surface, not on the finished product. It doesn't replace the plant's cleaning and sanitation program — it's a complementary measure that keeps recontamination low between sanitation cycles.

Coliform report on the ice cream vat of Fruna's line, comparing the equipment with and without a UV-C lamp

Process Water

Process Water: From 20-35 CFU/mL to Under 1 CFU/mL After UV-C

Matrix Analyzed: Plant supply water
Parameter: Mesophilic aerobic count (MAC)
Result Before UV: 20-35 CFU/mL
Result After UV: Under 1 CFU/mL
Condition: Three consecutive days of sampling
Laboratory / Report: Certificate of analysis
Customer / Plant: Quillayes/Surlat · Loncoche, Chile
Report Date: October 7, 2025

What the Report Shows

Supply water samples taken before and after the UV sterilization unit, on three consecutive days. The mesophilic aerobic count went from 20-35 CFU/mL at the inlet to under 1 CFU/mL at the outlet in every sampling round.

What It Doesn't Prove

UV-C's effectiveness in water depends on transmittance: in turbid water or water with a high organic load, performance drops because suspended particles block the radiation. It doesn't replace upstream filtration.

Certificate of analysis for mesophilic aerobic count in process water before and after UV-C light treatment, Loncoche plant

Air and Surface

Viral Inactivation Above 99.99% — SGS Test

Matrix Analyzed: Air and surface of an enclosed space
Parameter: H1N1 virus inactivation
Result: Above 99.99%
Test Distance: 2 meters
Equipment Tested: UV-Life room sterilizer
Laboratory: SGS
Report No.: Test Report GZF20-014499
Report Date: August 13, 2020

What the Report Shows

H1N1 virus inactivation test performed by SGS on a UV-Life room sterilizer, with the unit positioned 2 meters from the test surface. The measured inactivation rate was above 99.99%.

What It Doesn't Prove

It's a germicidal efficacy test under controlled laboratory conditions, on a room disinfection unit. It's not a food production line result and doesn't carry over directly to the surface of a product moving on a conveyor.

SGS Test Report GZF20-014499 for H1N1 virus inactivation with UV-Life ultraviolet UV-C light

Dehydrated Food

Microbiological Profile of Powdered Avocado Pit — Analab

Matrix Analyzed: Dehydrated, powdered avocado pit
Molds: Under 10 CFU/g
Yeasts: 200 CFU/g
Escherichia coli: Under 10 CFU/g
Staphylococcus aureus: Under 10 CFU/g
Salmonella: Not detected
Laboratory: Analab Chile S.A.
Accreditation: ISO 17025
Report Date: January 20, 2026

What the Report Shows

Complete microbiological profile of the finished product, a dehydrated and powdered ingredient, analyzed by a laboratory accredited under ISO 17025.

What It Doesn't Prove

This is a food-safety characterization of the finished product, not a with/without UV-C comparison. These values can't be attributed to the ultraviolet treatment alone.