Fotolec celebrates 50 years of lighting innovation

50 Years of Supporting Food Safety Through Specialist Lighting

This year marks an important milestone for Fotolec Technologies: 50 years of manufacturing specialist lighting solutions for food production, pest control, and other hygiene-sensitive industries.

Since 1976, the business has grown from a UV lamp repair company in Thetford, Norfolk, into an internationally recognised manufacturer of shatterproof and UV lighting products. While the technology has evolved significantly over the past five decades, one thing has remained constant: the need to reduce contamination risks and protect product integrity.

As Fotolec celebrates its 50th anniversary, it is an opportunity to reflect on the role specialist lighting continues to play in supporting food safety worldwide.

Helping Reduce Contamination Risks

Lighting may not always be the first consideration when discussing food safety, but broken glass remains a significant physical contamination risk within food production environments.

For decades, food manufacturers have relied on shatterproof lighting solutions to help minimise this risk. Specialist FEP coatings are designed to contain glass fragments in the event of lamp breakage, providing an additional safeguard for products, processes and consumers.

Today, a significant proportion of fluorescent lighting used within food manufacturing facilities incorporates Fotolec’s specialist shatterproof coating technology, helping businesses operate safely in hygiene-sensitive environments.

Supporting Industry Standards

Over the years, food safety standards have become increasingly rigorous, driving greater focus on contamination prevention and risk management.

Fotolec has played an active role in supporting these developments, including contributing to the creation of IEC 61549, the international standard for shatterproof fluorescent lamps. The company is also a long-standing partner of BRCGS, reflecting its commitment to supporting food manufacturers with compliance and best practice.

While standards continue to evolve, the objective remains the same: reducing risk and protecting consumers.

Investing in Specialist UK Manufacturing

Over the past 50 years, Fotolec has continued to invest in specialist manufacturing capability at its Norfolk facility, including the development of its own dip-coating process for shatterproof circline lamps and ongoing investment in production technology.

This commitment has enabled the company to maintain direct control over quality and consistency while supplying specialist lighting solutions to customers around the world.

Behind this capability is a highly experienced team, with average employee tenure exceeding 14 years and 14 staff members representing more than 200 years of combined service. That continuity of knowledge plays an important role in delivering reliable products for safety-critical environments.

Supporting the Transition to LED

The lighting industry is undergoing significant change as more organisations adopt LED technology. However, in specialist applications such as insect light traps, performance and compliance remain just as important as energy efficiency.

To support customers through this transition, Fotolec continues to invest in the development of its Opti-Catch range of UV LED lamps, designed specifically for use in food manufacturing and other hygiene-sensitive environments.

As new technologies emerge, the focus remains on delivering solutions that meet the practical requirements of safety-critical operations.

Looking Ahead

Food manufacturers today face increasing pressure to improve efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of safety and compliance.

As Fotolec marks its 50th year, the company remains committed to helping customers meet these challenges through specialist lighting solutions, continued investment in UK manufacturing, and ongoing product innovation.

Five decades after the business was founded, the mission remains unchanged: supporting safer production environments through reliable, compliance-focused lighting technology.