What Is Ozone Water?

 

Most of us have heard about ozone. In the Earth's stratosphere, ozone forms the ozone layer, which protects our planet from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. But did you know that ozone also plays a valuable role in the food and beverage industry?

 

Ozone water—also known as activated oxygen water—is considered one of the most powerful disinfectants known to humanity. Compared with conventional chlorine disinfectants, ozone disinfects up to 3,000 times faster and has 50 times greater sterilization capability.

 

 

An Environmentally Friendly Disinfection Method

 

Ozone water is one of the safest disinfectants available—and it is 100% natural. In fact, ozone continuously participates in the natural purification of our environment every day.

 

Ozone in the atmosphere protects us from ultraviolet radiation and microorganisms. Energy from lightning and ultraviolet light breaks apart oxygen molecules, forming ozone. These reactions absorb harmful UV radiation and convert it into heat while also helping purify the air.

 

After ozone breaks down organic substances, it simply converts back into oxygen, leaving no harmful by-products behind.

 

Ozone water produced by BES electrolytic ozone generators leaves no chemical residue and produces no taste or odor after disinfection. This is why it is widely used in the food and beverage industry—when used for food surface sanitation, it does not affect the flavor of food and meets the standards of food safety authorities.

 

In addition, ozone water does not alter the pH balance of water. Tests conducted by SGS Taiwan confirm that BES ozone water does not irritate the mouth, nose, or skin.

 

BES uses a new generation of advanced ozone water production technology that generates ozone directly from water through electrolysis. This process offers several advantages:

• Ozone dissolves more efficiently in water, reducing off-gassing

• No nitrogen oxides (NOx) are produced, eliminating potential carcinogenic compounds

• No harmful health effects are introduced during production

 

Because ozone generated from water does not create carcinogenic by-products, it can be safely discharged into drainage systems without causing environmental pollution.

 

Due to its safety and reliability, in 2001 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ozone as a safe disinfectant for use in food processing and food-contact surfaces.

 

 

What Benefits Can Ozone Bring?

 

Ozone disinfection is considered a broad-spectrum sanitation method.

 

Ozone water works by directly oxidizing and breaking down the DNA and RNA of microorganisms. As a result, bacteria cannot survive in ozone water.

 

When the ozone concentration in water reaches 1 ppm, it can effectively oxidize and eliminate bacteria when used to wash or spray surfaces.

 

Unlike chemical disinfectants, pathogens do not develop resistance to ozone. This means that using ozone water for sanitation will not contribute to the creation of antibiotic-resistant “superbugs.”

 

 

Applications of Ozone Water

Ozone water has a wide range of applications. It is highly effective for disinfection and pesticide degradation in industries such as:

• Food and beverage processing

• Beverage bottling

• Healthcare

• Commercial laundry

• Wastewater treatment

 

One of the most efficient ways to produce ozone is through electrolytic ozone generation, which converts oxygen (O₂) in water into ozone (O₃) using low-voltage direct current.

 

Below are some of the major applications of ozone water.

 

In the food, beverage, and hospitality industries, ozone water is becoming a more cost-effective, safer, and more efficient alternative to chlorine-based disinfectants.

 

Examples include:

• Kitchen managers using ozone water for surface sanitation

• Beverage production lines using automated ozone systems to eliminate bacteria

• Commercial laundries injecting electrolytic ozone water into washing machines to achieve hygienic cleaning standards

 

Compared with chlorine-based disinfectants, ozone systems offer several advantages:

• Long-term cost savings

• No chemical residue

• Automated sanitation that reduces human error

• Improved safety for sanitation personnel

 

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Infection Control

 

Ozone is one of the most powerful disinfectants available on Earth.

 

In the dental industry, ozone water is particularly effective for disinfecting dental unit waterlines, which often develop biofilms due to narrow tubing and inconsistent water flow.

 

By using ozone-treated water in dental waterlines, clinics can prevent patients from being exposed to bacteria growing inside contaminated pipes. This significantly reduces the risk of infection after dental treatment, making ozone water a valuable ally in infection prevention.

 

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Food Safety in the Catering Industry

 

In restaurants and food processing environments, ozone water can:

• Kill viruses and bacteria

• Reduce pesticide residues on food ingredients

 

Staff in restaurants and central kitchens use ozone water to sanitize fruits and vegetables, removing surface contaminants.

 

Washing fish and meat with ozone water can also help eliminate parasites and bacteria while extending product freshness and shelf life.

 

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Beverage Bottling

 

Ozone is widely used in the bottling plants of major beverage companies.

 

Before mineral water, soda, or other beverages are filled into bottles, ozone water is sprayed into each bottle to disinfect plastic or glass containers.

 

If you have ever consumed bottled water or soft drinks, chances are that ozone sanitation was used somewhere in the production process.

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Applications Across Other Industries

 

Hotels, restaurants, catering businesses, bars, and breweries commonly install ozone water sanitation systems for:

• Beverage line sanitation

• Hand washing

• Food ingredient sanitation

• Cleaning food preparation stations

• Sanitizing utensils and equipment

 

Many of these tasks were previously performed using chlorine disinfectants. However, due to chlorine’s disadvantages, ozone has become a new sustainable standard for modern sanitation.

 

 

How Ozone Water Is Produced

 

Ozone cannot be stored due to its short half-life, which means it must be generated and used immediately. Therefore, an ozone generator is the most critical component in any ozone system or appliance.

 

Currently, there are three common methods for producing ozone:

1. Corona discharge (CD) or silent discharge

2. Photochemical (UV ozone)

3. Electrochemical (electrolytic ozone)

 

The UV photochemical method is the most economical, but it produces low-purity ozone with concentrations of only 0.3% or less, making it the least efficient among the three methods.

 

 

Why Electrolytic Ozone Technology Is Superior

 

Electrolytic ozone generation is currently the safest method for producing high-purity ozone.

 

During this process, oxygen (O₂) in water is split through electrolysis, forming individual oxygen atoms (O), which then combine with O₂ to form ozone (O₃).

 

This method provides several advantages:

• Higher ozone concentration

• Minimal gas release

• High dissolution efficiency in water

 

These benefits maximize ozone’s effectiveness while maintaining the highest level of safety for human use.

 

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Leading Ozone Water Disinfection Technology

 

Since 1988, BES Group has been a leading manufacturer of electrolytic ozone technology, committed to developing chemical-free sanitation solutions.

 

Our mission is to provide the most environmentally friendly and human-safe disinfection methods, especially in situations where sanitation is unavoidable.

 

The BioSure Professional brand under BES Group delivers professional ozone solutions for industries including:

• Food safety and hygiene

• Commercial laundry

• Air quality control

• Water treatment

• Healthcare

 

At the same time, BES Group is expanding ozone technology into everyday life through its consumer appliance brand Biolux, bringing professional-grade sanitation technology into homes around the world.

 

Today, BES ozone solutions are continuously used by international corporations and organizations worldwide. Each year, these systems help reduce:

• Millions of tons of chemical detergents

• Tens of thousands of plastic bottles used for chemical cleaners

 

Our ozone water appliances utilize BES patented electrolytic ozone technology to generate high concentrations of dissolved ozone. By integrating directly with household tap water, ordinary water can be transformed into powerful antimicrobial disinfecting water.

 

This means cleaning and sanitizing can happen at the same time.

 

Yes—cleaning and disinfection can be that simple. ✨