Hello All!
I'm at a bit of a loss with the right method to use to verify our quat sanitizer concentration in our portable equipment foamers and 3-compartment sink. Here is my issue:
My site had our initial SQF audit in May. The auditor asked about our sanitizing procedures, I showed her the test strips we use to verify concentration (0-400 ppm). She gave us a finding because our upper limit is 400 - so her question was "how do you know you're not at 600ppm if the strip only goes to 400ppm". Valid question. So...to follow the SQF auditor, I purchased 1000ppm quat strips.
2 weeks later we had DHHS conduct a preventative controls audit. The auditor looked into our sanitizing procedures as well. Her feedback was that the test strips used should depend on the % of "active ingredient". When she said this, she pointed to the 10% on the label that showed "C16, 10%". My assumption (and maybe I'm wrong) was that a QT-10 was the strip that should be used.
The 1000ppm strips are not giving a reading. However, the 400ppm QT-10 strips are. And I seem to only be able to find QT-10s in max 400ppm. I'm not sure what direction to go here. I feel like I've gotten conflicting information from both auditors and I don't know enough about the chemistry to make conclusions (or argue a finding).
Any insight would be GREATLY appreciated.
