Process Air in the Food Industry
Clean process air in the food industry is integral to Quality Assurance and Quality Control and it should always be considered a Critical Control Point (CCP) if used in your food manufacturing process. Contamination in process air like particles, water or oil can have devastating results on a final product, potentially leading to recalls, down manufacturing time or worse.
Assuring food safety and quality is essential for the viability of any food manufacturer. The Global Food Safety Initiative was established to improve consumer trust by improving food safety through corporate responsibility and safer food supply chains.
The British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) / British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) Food Grade Compressed Air Code of Practice1 is an excellent reference for the food manufacturer and its suppliers. The BCAS/BRC Code addresses the need for manufacturers to protect consumers from contaminated food and prevent recalls or potential legal actions by identifying compressed air as a Critical Control Point (CCP).
The BCAS/BRC Code identifies the three primary areas of potential contamination in compressed air – Particles, Water, and Oil. Section 6 of the Code states that compressed air coming in Direct Contact with food shall meet ISO 8573-1:2001 Purity Class 2:2:1; Indirect Contact 2:4:1. See Table below for limits.
Purity |
PARTICLES |
WATER |
OIL |
|||
By Particle Size |
Vapor |
Aerosol & Vapor |
||||
0.1 - 0.5 micron |
0.5 - 1 micron |
1 - 5 micron |
°C |
°F |
mg/m3 |
|
2:2:1 |
100,000 |
1,000 |
10 |
< -40 |
< -40 |
< 0.01 |
2:4:1 |
100,000 |
1,000 |
10 |
< +3 |
< +37 |
< 0.01 |
Note: The Code cites ISO 8573-1:2001 version. BRC is currently reviewing to determine if it will update the Code to ISO 8573-1:2010 version.
According to the Code, compressed air quality shall be tested and verified at least twice per year or per the manufacturers recommendations. Additional testing is also warranted whenever maintenance work or any activity that may affect the air quality is performed on the compressed air system. (Section 7.2) A representative selection of the air outlets shall be tested to confirm that the compressed air meets the relevant Purity Classes noted in the Table below. (Section 8.4) The risk for microbiological contaminants shall be assessed and the level of viable microbial contaminants shall not be detectable. (Section 7.7)
A periodic air test program can provide critical information to monitor air quality and help prevent contamination of the food supply. Due to the critical nature of compressed air used in the food manufacturing process, qualified personnel should be employed to properly maintain, service, and test the compressed air system.
We offer baseline testing when you are unsure what Purity Classes your air system can meet, any given Purity Classes you select, or you can provide your own custom specifications. Other specifications that are available include CGA, USP, NFPA, ANSI, and others.
Trace Analytics is an A2LA accredited laboratory established in 1989. We do one thing: test compressed air! We have a great team of experts ready to answer your questions and help you get started with your air quality assurance program.
To receive more information about process air and pure gas testing for the food industry, ISO 8573-1 and our baseline testing with AirCheck Kit™ K8573, Contact Us by email or phone 1-800-247-1024 x3.
Process Air Industries We Serve:
Electronics
Medical Device
Pharmaceutical
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