Company Announcement - The South African Bureau of Standards has recently confirmed its accreditation of a locally manufactured green cleaning product, according to SANS 1828:2005 regulating cleaning chemicals for use in the food industry. This is a ground-breaking achievement as it is the first accreditation of its kind in the eco-friendly cleaning product sector.

The product that has been accredited is the Odorite Ultra Deep Clean Enzymatic 30 X manufactured by Green Worx Cleaning Solutions, a developer and manufacturer of green cleaning products. Although receiving the SABS accreditation presented a challenge due to the enzymatic nature of the product, the Green Worx team conducted intensive research and partnered with the world’s foremost technologically advanced enzyme producer and sustainable surfactant producers to develop this hard surface, innovative cleaning product that is the first of its kind in Africa.   

The multi-enzymatic action of the Odorite product offers increased effectiveness in comparison to chemical and germicidal cleaners, due to the fact that the enzymes digest host material where the germ and odour causing bacteria live and reproduce. Specifically within the food industry, enzymatic products are beneficial in that they break down residual organic soils such as fats, greases and starches, which act as glue or bio-film, trapping dirt and other organics on surfaces. The product is safe to use as enzymes are non-toxic, non-irritating, non-gaseous, non-flammable, non-pathogenic and non-hazardous. Its regular use removes layer upon layer of embedded grime whilst avoiding the challenge of increasing bacterial colony-forming unit (CFU) counts on food contact surfaces.  

With the levels of greenwashing at an all-time high in South Africa and across the globe, consumers are hard pressed to identify truly green cleaning products. In the food industry especially, the importance of non-toxic cleaning products cannot be overstated. While many may believe that they are cleaning with products that are non-destructive to the environment and safe to use, this is not necessarily the case. It is envisioned that this endorsement by the SABS will encourage consumers to evaluate how green their ‘green’ products truly are and enhance awareness regarding the safety (or lack of safety) of the cleaning products that are being used in the food industry.

“We are most pleased with this stamp of approval from the SABS,” says Chris Kettley, Chief Executive Officer of Green Worx. “It is hoped that this accreditation will lead to revolutionary upgrades within the green cleaning industry, inspiring consumers to seek out certified products and manufacturers to strive to produce the highest level of products.”