MIA Study Notes Granite Cleanliness

CLEVELAND – A new study funded by the Marble Institute of America indicates that granite, marble and quartz surfaces are all easily cleaned to meet FDA surface sanitizer criteria of 5-log reduction pathogens on the surface.
The Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management (HITM) in Minneapolis conducted the study, comparing Dakota Mahogany granite from South Dakota, Uba Tuba granite from Brazil, Carrara White marble from Italy and Snowdon White material from Le Sueur, Minn.-based Cambria.
The test organism used for the study, according to Dr. O. Peter Snyder Jr. of the Hospitality Institute was E..coli ATTC #25922, a non-pathogenic E.coli. It was spread on each countertop surface and allowed to dry for l5 minutes. The surfaces were then cleaned by a variety of typical, everyday, household methods.
“Overall, there was no statistical difference in reduction after wash and rinse for any of the four surfaces,” Dr. Snyder says. “This indicates that the differences in surfaces used in the tests did not make a significant food safety difference in cleanability. The study, funded by the Marble Institute of America, showed that typical stone countertop materials are very easily cleaned to meet FDA guidance for reducing food contact surfaces to a safe level.”
The new study is a follow-up to one performed by HITM in 1999, where granite was tested for cleanability with several other surfacing materials including stainless steel, concrete, tile, wood plastic and laminate. In the 1999 study, funded by The Steel Institute, granite retained the least E.coli when wiped with a washcloth and detergent water, and placed an extremely close second to stainless steel in cleanability using a subsequent 10-percent-vinegar solution
“The prevention of cross-contamination of pathogens on kitchen counters is very important to protecting the health of the family,” said Gary Distelhorst, MIA executive vice president. “The study shows conclusively that natural stone and engineered stone essentially have the same level of cleanability, which is important for consumers to know.”