Food Processing Machinery in the New Hygienic Design

The Importance of Hygienic Design in Food Processing

Hygienic design is a concept focused on eliminating areas where contaminants can accumulate and ensuring that machinery can be easily cleaned and sanitized. With pathogens like Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli posing risks to consumers, food manufacturers must go beyond conventional designs and adopt new hygienic standards. Equipment in modern processing environments must be engineered to allow for thorough cleaning and maintenance while minimizing the risk of food contamination. For this reason, the EHEDG provides design guidelines and certifications for components that meet strict hygiene requirements, ensuring that they are safe for food production.

The Role of Levelling Feet in Food Safety

Levelling feet are a crucial part of the hygienic design of food processing equipment. These adjustable components provide stability to machinery, even on uneven surfaces, reducing vibrations and ensuring that the equipment remains steady during operation. In the context of food safety, levelling feet are not just about balancing the machine but also about ensuring easy cleaning and reducing contamination risks.

Traditional levelling feet often had crevices and designs that allowed food particles and bacteria to accumulate. However, with the latest innovations, hygienic levelling feet are now designed with smooth surfaces, rounded edges, and closed structures that eliminate any space for bacteria buildup. Furthermore, these feet are often made from stainless steel, a corrosion-resistant material ideal for food production environments. Stainless steel also withstands rigorous cleaning processes involving high temperatures and harsh chemicals, ensuring that levelling feet can endure the cleaning requirements without compromising hygiene.

EHEDG Components: Meeting the Highest Hygiene Standards

EHEDG components, including valves, seals, bearings, and connectors, are specially designed and certified to meet hygiene standards in food processing. These components are carefully engineered to reduce the risk of microbial contamination, focusing on materials, ease of cleaning, and proper sealing. When food processing equipment includes EHEDG-certified components, it minimizes crevices and dead zones where bacteria can accumulate, allowing for thorough cleaning and ensuring compliance with the industry’s highest hygiene standards.

For example, EHEDG-approved bearings are designed to be easy to clean and resistant to moisture and food particles. These bearings can withstand frequent washdowns with hot water and cleaning agents, maintaining their integrity without risking contamination. EHEDG certification also ensures that components can handle high-temperature sanitation processes, which are essential for the complete eradication of bacteria in food processing plants.

Designing for Cleanability: How Hygienic Machinery Protects Consumers

The new hygienic design of food processing machinery is primarily based on the concept of “cleanability.” Each part, from the frame to the smallest levelling foot, is evaluated for how effectively it can be cleaned. Open structures, smooth welds, and minimal use of fasteners reduce the number of hidden areas in the equipment, while stainless steel and EHEDG-approved components add an extra layer of protection.

The cleanability factor also extends to self-draining designs, where surfaces are angled to prevent liquids from pooling, thereby reducing the risk of bacterial growth. The inclusion of EHEDG components such as gaskets and seals ensures that every part of the machine is watertight and bacteria-resistant. This design philosophy prioritizes both product quality and consumer health, as well as the efficiency of cleaning processes.

Advantages of Hygienic Design for Food Manufacturers

1. Enhanced Food Safety: With every component meeting strict hygienic standards, the risk of contamination is minimized, offering a safe end product to consumers.
2. Reduced Cleaning Time: Hygienic machinery can be cleaned more efficiently, cutting down on cleaning time and increasing the overall productivity of the plant.
3. Lower Maintenance Costs: Since components like hygienic levelling feet and EHEDG-certified parts are designed for durability and easy cleaning, they reduce wear and tear over time, lowering maintenance expenses.
4. Compliance with Regulations: Using EHEDG components helps food manufacturers comply with regulatory standards set by authorities like the FDA, ensuring that machinery meets both national and international safety requirements.

Levelling Feet in Hygienic Design: A Small Yet Crucial Component

While levelling feet might seem like a small detail, they play a pivotal role in the overall cleanliness and functionality of food processing equipment. These feet not only keep machinery stable but also prevent areas underneath the equipment from becoming contamination zones. Hygienic levelling feet, such as those made from stainless steel and designed for minimal contact with the floor, are resistant to corrosion, which means they will not rust even when subjected to frequent washdowns.

In modern food processing, manufacturers use levelling feet that comply with EHEDG and other hygienic standards, ensuring they are not only easy to clean but also resilient against harsh cleaning agents. Additionally, many levelling feet now feature anti-microbial coatings to add an extra layer of protection, preventing bacterial growth in areas that can be hard to reach.

EHEDG Components in Hygienic Equipment Design: Essential for Compliance and Quality

EHEDG components are integral to the development of food processing machinery that upholds the highest standards of cleanliness and food safety. With the wide range of EHEDG-certified components available today, from pumps to gaskets, manufacturers can design equipment that minimizes any opportunity for contamination.

One such example is the use of EHEDG-certified seals, which prevent leaks and stop contaminants from entering sensitive areas of the machine. These seals can be disassembled quickly, making them ideal for environments where equipment needs regular inspection and cleaning. This is especially important for equipment like mixers, fillers, and conveyors, where raw ingredients often come into direct contact with the machinery.

Conclusion: The Future of Hygienic Machinery in Food Processing

In a world where consumers are increasingly concerned about food safety and quality, the role of hygienic machinery in food processing has never been more important. By integrating components like adjustable feet and EHEDG-certified parts, food processing equipment manufacturers are meeting and often exceeding food safety standards, thereby providing peace of mind for both manufacturers and consumers.

Investing in hygienic design is not just about regulatory compliance; it’s a proactive approach to safeguarding public health. As food processing plants become more advanced, hygienic design will continue to evolve, incorporating the latest innovations in materials, engineering, and design standards to meet the needs of a global market that demands the highest levels of food safety.