Categorization of Chemical Additives to Food Processor Wastewater

Aubrey Higginbotham* Chris Saffron* Steve Safferman* Steve Miller* *Michigan State University Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Additives are used in the food processing industry to facilitate plant operations and provide sanitation. These chemicals often pass through the plant and may interfere with the disposal of process waste. In addition, chemicals are used to preserve food, control moisture, control texture, enhance flavor, decrease cooking/preparation time and enhance nutritional value. The vast majority of these chemicals remain in the product and are not found in the waste streams in significant concentrations. This manuscript reports on a study with the following goals. • Divide commonly used chemicals that facilitate food processing plant operation into categories relating to their role in plant operations. • Identify chemicals in each category and provide selected structures. • Identify potential wastewater treatment problems associated with chemicals in each category and environmental impacts if treatment pass through occurs. Four categories of chemicals that are of importance to wastewater treatment and disposal are commonly used at food processing plants to facilitate operations. • Ligands • Pesticides • Sanitizers • Surfactants For each category, its use in the food processing industry is explained, chemicals within the category are listed and their significance relating to treatment and the environment are discussed. Several chemicals may be categorized in more than one way. These are discussed under the division that is most applicable.