Cleaning/sanitizing methods, compositions, and/or articles for produce

Abstract

Basic cleaning compositions using toxicologically-acceptable ingredients for cleaning fruits and vegetables are provided. Liquid formulations comprising detergent surfactant, such as oleate, alcohol ethoxylates, etc., and neutralized phosphoric acid are sprayed onto apples, lettuce and the like to remove soil and unwanted deposits, especially wax. Articles for applying the compositions to produce by spraying are disclosed. Use of the compositions for disinfectancy/sanitization of produce and cleaning/disinfectancy/sanitization of non-food inantimate surfaces are disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for cleaning produce comprising the step of contacting the surfaces of said produce with an aqueous cleaning solution comprising detergent surfactant; and neutralized ortho-phosphoric acid in an effective amount to provide removal of waxy materials, and having a basic pH of greater than about 9.5.  
     
     
         2 . The method of    claim 1    wherein said aqueous cleaning solution comprises: 
 (a) from about 0.01% to about 15% of C 8 -C 18  fatty acid;  
 (b) optionally, from about 0.1% to about 4% by weight of nonionic surfactant;  
 (c) optionally, from about 0.1% to about 4% by weight of organic polycarboxylic acid;  
 (d) optionally, up to about 0.2% by weight of base-stable anionic surfactant;  
 (e) optionally, toxicologically-acceptable basic buffer;  
 (f) optionally, toxicologically-acceptable preservative;  
 (g) from about 0.05% to about 10% of phosphoric acid; and  
 (h) the balance comprising an aqueous carrier selected from water and, optionally, low molecular weight, toxicologically-acceptable organic solvent;  
 wherein said aqueous solution has a pH of more than about 9.5.  
 
     
     
         3 . A composition for cleaning fruits and vegetables according to    claim 1   , which comprises: 
 (a) from about 0.01% to about 15% of C 8 -C 18  fatty acid;    (b) optionally, from about 0.1% to about 4% by weight of nonionic surfactant;    (c) optionally, from about 0.1% to about 4% by weight of organic polycarboxylic acid;    (d) optionally, up to about 0.2% by weight of base-stable anionic surfactant;    (e) optionally, toxicologically-acceptable basic buffer;    (f) optionally, toxicologically-acceptable preservative;    (g) from about 0.05% to about 10% of phosphoric acid; and    (h) the balance comprising an aqueous carrier selected from water and, optionally, low molecular weight, toxicologically-acceptable organic solvent;    wherein said composition has a pH of more than about 9.5.    
     
     
         4 . A composition according to    claim 3    which comprises from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of ortho-phosphoric acid and wherein said composition has a pH of from about 11.5 to about 12.5.  
     
     
         5 . A composition according to    claim 3    with an improved tactile impression for fruits and vegetables, comprising: 
 (a) at least about 0.75%, by weight, of a C 12 -C 18  fatty acid or salt thereof;  
 (b) at least about 0.05%, by weight, of water-soluble polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of about 200, or higher;  
 (c) a water or water-ethanol fluid carrier, said composition having a basic pH.  
 
     
     
         6 . A composition according to    claim 5    wherein component (a) is salt of oleic acid.  
     
     
         7 . A composition according to    claim 5    wherein component (b) has a molecular weight in the range from about 300 to about 9500.  
     
     
         8 . A composition according to    claim 5    wherein component (a) is potassium oleate, and wherein the weight ratio of (a):(b) is in the range from about 1:2 to about 30:1.  
     
     
         9 . A composition according to    claim 3    wherein the pH of the composition is in the range from about 11.5 to about 12.3.  
     
     
         10 . A sprayable composition according to    claim 3    which has a viscosity less than about 100 centipoise under shear of greater than about 1000 sec −1 .  
     
     
         11 . A sprayable composition according to    claim 10    which has a viscosity of less than about 50 centipoise.  
     
     
         12 . A composition according to    claim 3    which additionally comprises oil derived from grapefruit.  
     
     
         13 . The composition of    claim 3    wherein said composition contains from about 0.001% to about 0.05% of an antioxidant.  
     
     
         14 . A composition according to    claim 3    suitable for cleaning produce, even when the composition is incompletely removed from said produce, comprising only GRAS ingredients.  
     
     
         15 . The composition of    claim 3    wherein said solution contains from about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of detergent surfactant.  
     
     
         16 . The composition of    claim 15    wherein said solution contains from about 0.75% to about 8% by weight of said detergent surfactant.  
     
     
         17 . The composition of    claim 3    wherein said solution contains from about 1% to about 5% by weight of said detergent surfactant.  
     
     
         18 . An anhydrous concentrate for preparing the composition of    claim 3   .  
     
     
         19 . An article comprising a spray container, suitable for use by an individual to clean produce, containing a cleaning solution which is the composition of    claim 10   .  
     
     
         20 . The article of    claim 18    wherein said cleaning solution has a pH of from about 11.5 to about 12.5.  
     
     
         21 . A method for cleaning and/or sanitizing fruits and vegetables at a basic pH, using a solution comprising: 
 (a) optionally, from about 0.1% to about 4%, by weight of nonionic surfactant;    (b) from about 0.1% to about 5%, by weight of potassium oleate;    (c) optionally, from about 0.2% to about 4% by weight of organic polycarboxylate detergency builder;    (d) at least about 0.05%, by weight, of water-soluble polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of about 200, or higher;    (e) optionally, a toxicologically-acceptable basic buffer;    (f) from about 0.05% to about 10% of phosphoric acid; and    (g) the balance comprising an aqueous carrier selected from water and water-ethanol;    wherein said composition has a pH of 9.5 or greater, wherein all of the ingredients of said solution are GRAS, wherein there is at least 0.5% detergent; and wherein said solution is contained in, and dispensed from, a spray container suitable for use by an individual.